Vehicle energy management system with tether for tire and wheel assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016339752-A1
Application number	US-201514714870-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 18, 2015
Priority date	May 18, 2015
Publication date	Nov 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An energy management system for a vehicle limits movement of a tire and wheel assembly in a wheel cavity. The vehicle has a wheel well structure that defines the wheel cavity. The energy management system includes a tether attached to the tire and wheel assembly. The tether is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly within the wheel cavity under a predetermined load that is applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

First claim

1 . An energy management system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a wheel well structure defining a wheel cavity, and a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity, the energy management system comprising:
a tether attached to the tire and wheel assembly and configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly within the wheel cavity under a predetermined load that is applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; wherein the tether includes a cable portion, a first end connector connected to a first end of the cable portion, and a second end connector connected to a second end of the cable portion; and wherein the first end connector has a first lug, and the second end connector has a second

2 . (canceled)

3 . (canceled)

4 . The energy management system of claim 1 , wherein the tire and wheel assembly includes a wheel, and a steering knuckle operatively connected to the wheel; wherein the vehicle includes a lower control arm operatively connected to the steering knuckle; and wherein the tether is attached to the lower control arm and to the steering knuckle.

5 . The energy management system of claim 4 , wherein the steering knuckle has a first opening and the lower control arm has a boss with a second opening; and wherein the tether is operatively connected to the steering knuckle at the first opening and to the lower control arm at the second opening.

6 . The energy management system of claim 5 , wherein the lower control arm is one of a cast Aluminum alloy, an Aluminum alloy that is a forged casting, or a stamped steel.

7 . (canceled)

8 . The energy management system of claim 1 , wherein the first lug is configured to align with the first opening, and the second lug is configured to align with the second opening.

9 . The energy management system of claim 8 , wherein the first and second openings are drilled tapped openings.

10 . The energy management system of claim 1 , wherein the tire and wheel assembly includes a wheel, and a steering knuckle operatively connected to the wheel; wherein the vehicle includes an engine cradle; and wherein the tether is attached to the engine cradle and to the steering knuckle.

11 . The energy management system of claim 10 , wherein the steering knuckle has a first opening and the engine cradle has a boss with a second opening; and wherein the tether is operatively connected to the steering knuckle at the first opening and is operatively connected to the engine cradle at the second opening.

12 . The energy management system of claim 11 , wherein the engine cradle is one of a cast Aluminum alloy, an Aluminum alloy that is a forged casting, or a stamped steel.

13 . The energy management system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes a lower control arm at least partially in the wheel cavity; wherein the tire and wheel assembly includes a wheel, and a steering knuckle operatively connected to the wheel and to the lower control arm;
wherein the tether is operatively positioned in the wheel cavity and attached to the lower control arm and to the steering knuckle; wherein the first end connector is crimped to the first end of the cable portion, and the second end connector is crimped to the second end of the cable portion; wherein the tether is connected to the steering knuckle at the first lug, and to the lower control arm at the second lug.

14 . The energy management system of claim 13 , wherein the steering knuckle has a first opening and the lower control arm has a boss with a second opening; and wherein the first lug is configured to align with the first opening, and the second lug is configured to align with the second opening.

15 . The energy management system of claim 14 , the lower control arm is one of a cast Aluminum alloy, an Aluminum alloy that is a forged casting, or a stamped steel.

16 . A vehicle comprising:
a wheel well structure defining a wheel cavity; a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity; wherein the tire and wheel assembly includes a wheel, and a steering knuckle operatively connected to the wheel; a lower control arm operatively connected to the steering wheel; an energy management system including a tether attached to the tire and wheel assembly and configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity under a load that is applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; and wherein the tether is attached to the lower control arm and to the steering knuckle.

17 . (canceled)

18 . The vehicle of claim 16 comprising, wherein the steering knuckle has a first opening and the lower control arm has a boss with a second opening;
and wherein the tether is operatively connected to the steering knuckle at the first opening and to the lower control arm at the second opening.

19 . A vehicle comprising:
a wheel well structure defining a wheel cavity; a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity; wherein the tire and wheel assembly includes a wheel, and a steering knuckle operatively connected to the wheel; an engine cradle; an energy management system including a tether attached to the tire and wheel assembly and configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity under a load that is applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; and wherein the tether is attached to the engine cradle and to the steering knuckle.

20 . The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the steering knuckle has a first opening and the engine cradle has a boss with a second opening; and wherein the tether is operatively connected to the steering knuckle at the first opening and to the engine cradle at the second opening.

21 . The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the lower control arm is one of a cast Aluminum alloy, an Aluminum alloy that is a forged casting, or a stamped steel.

22 . The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the first and second openings are drilled tapped openings.

23 . The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the tether includes a cable portion, a first end connector connected to a first end of the cable portion, and a second end connector connected to a second end of the cable portion; and
wherein the first end connector has a first lug, and the second end connector has a second lug.

24 . The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the engine cradle is one of a cast Aluminum alloy, an Aluminum alloy that is a forged casting, or a stamped steel.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Jensen Charles E
• Saje Robert N
• Rich Jonathan E
• Quigley Michael E

Classifications

• B60G2200/4622

  Alignment adjustment · CPC title

• B60G3/04 Primary

  the arm being essentially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle · CPC title

• B60G7/001 Primary

  Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features (B60G7/006 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60R19/00

  Wheel guards; Radiator guards, {e.g. grilles}; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions ({reinforcement elements for side doors B60J5/0412; } mudguards B62D) · CPC title

• B60G2206/016

  allowing controlled deformation during collision · CPC title