Vehicle body structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10661833-B2
Application number	US-201816023954-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2018
Priority date	Jun 29, 2018
Publication date	May 26, 2020
Grant date	May 26, 2020

Abstract

A vehicle body structure includes a first structural member extending in a vehicle lateral direction and a second structural member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The second structural member is connected to the first structural member. An off-center impact structure is connected to at least one of the first structural member and the second structural member. The off-center impact structure has a curved contact surface. The curved contact surface is laterally spaced from the other of the first structural member and the second structural member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle frame comprising:
a first structural member extending in a vehicle lateral direction;
a second structural member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and connected to the first structural member;
an off-center impact structure connected to at least one of the first and second structural members, the off-center impact structure having a curved contact surface;
a load distributing member connected to the off-center impact structure, the load distributing member being laterally spaced from the other of the first and second structural members; and
a reinforcing member disposed in the second structural member such that a line extending parallel to the first structural member passes through the off-center impact structure and the reinforcing member.

2. The vehicle frame according to claim 1 ,
wherein
the curved contact surface is an involute shape.

3. The vehicle frame according to claim 1 ,
wherein
the load distributing member is disposed between the off-center impact structure and the second structural member in a top plan view.

4. The vehicle frame according to claim 1 ,
wherein
the reinforcing member has first and second ends connected to an inner lateral side of the second structural member and a middle portion disposed between the first and second ends connected to an outer lateral side of the second structural member.

5. The vehicle frame according to claim 1 ,
wherein
the second structural member is disposed between the off-center impact structure and a longitudinal center line of the vehicle in a lateral direction.

6. The vehicle frame according to claim 1 ,
wherein
a first height of the off-center impact structure is at least as large as a second height of the second structural member.

7. The vehicle frame according to claim 1 ,
wherein
the load distributing member has a shape corresponding to a shape of the curved contact surface of the off-center impact structure.

8. A vehicle frame comprising:
a first structural member extending in a vehicle lateral direction;
a second structural member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, the second structural member being connected to the first structural member;
a body mount connected to the second structural member and configured to receive a vehicle body structure; and
an off-center impact structure connected to at least one of the first and second structural members, the off-center impact structure having a contact surface,
the contact surface being spaced from the other of the first and second structural members.

9. The vehicle frame according to claim 8 , wherein
the contact surface is curved.

10. The vehicle frame according to claim 8 , wherein
a load distributing member is connected to the off-center impact structure, the load distributing member extending further rearwardly in the vehicle longitudinal direction then the off-center impact structure.

11. The vehicle frame according to claim 8 , wherein
a reinforcing member is disposed in the second structural member such that a line extending parallel to the first structural member passes through the off-center impact structure and the reinforcing member.

12. The vehicle frame according to claim 8 , wherein
the second structural member extends forward of the off-center impact structure.

13. The vehicle frame according to claim 12 , wherein
at least one crush rib is disposed in the second structural member forward of the off-center impact structure.

14. The vehicle frame according to claim 13 , wherein
the off-center impact structure is substantially hollow.

15. The vehicle frame according to claim 14 , wherein
the off-center impact structure is not integrally formed as a one-piece member.

16. The vehicle frame according to claim 15 , wherein
a height of the off-center impact structure is less than a height of the second structural member.

17. The vehicle frame according to claim 16 , wherein
a longitudinal distance of the load distributing member is substantially equal to a longitudinal distance of the off-center impact structure.

18. The vehicle frame according to claim 17 , wherein
a distance that the first structural member extends outwardly of the second structural member is substantially equal to a distance that the second structural members extends forwardly of the first structural member.

19. The vehicle frame according to claim 18 , wherein
a mounting plate is disposed at a forward end of the second structural member.

20. A vehicle frame comprising:
a first structural member extending in a vehicle lateral direction;
a second structural member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, the second structural member being connected to the first structural member;
an off-center impact structure connected to at least one of the first and second structural members, the off-center impact structure having a contact surface spaced from the other of the first and second structural members, the second structural member extending forward of the off-center impact structure; and
at least one crush rib disposed in the second structural member forward of the off-center impact structure, and
a distance that the first structural member extends outwardly of the second structural member being substantially equal to a distance that the second structural members extends forwardly of the first structural member.

Assignees

• Nissan North America Inc

Inventors

• Mcgory Michael
• Grattan Patrick

Classifications

• B62D21/152 Primary

  Front or rear frames · CPC title

• B62D21/157

  for side impacts · CPC title

• B62D21/02

  comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members · CPC title

• B62D27/023

  Assembly of structural joints · CPC title

• B62D21/03

  transverse members providing body support · CPC title