Subframe and suspension assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022212527-A1
Application number	US-202217699057-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 18, 2022
Priority date	Aug 10, 2016
Publication date	Jul 7, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a rear subframe and suspension system. The subframe may be configured to accommodate one or two electric motors for propelling an automobile. The subframe may be configured such that the motor(s) is inserted through the front end of the subframe. The subframe may substantially surround the motor. Braces may be the coupled to the subframe to secure the motor within the subframe. The subframe may further include built-in motor mounts. An independent rear suspension system and rear steering system may also be coupled to the subframe.

First claim

1 - 9 . (canceled)

10 . A rear subframe and rear steering assembly system comprising:
at least two castings extending in a longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction; the at least two castings coupled together by a laterally extending front cross-car extrusion and a laterally extending rear cross-car extrusion, the rear cross-car extrusion spaced away from the front cross-car extrusion in the longitudinal direction to define an area that is bounded by the at least two castings, the laterally extending front cross-car extrusion, and the laterally extending rear cross-car extrusion; a laterally extending roll bar coupled to the at least two castings and positioned over the area to define a motor receiving volume configured to contain at least one motor; and a rear steering actuator mounted to a rear facing surface of the rear cross-car extrusion.

11 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising two track rods coupled to opposite sides of the rear steering actuator and extending laterally away from the rear steering actuator, the track rods including at least one curved section extending in the longitudinal direction.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the two track rods are each respectively coupled to two different knuckles with a pin that extends upward through an underside of the knuckle.

13 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising two steering knuckles coupled to each casting, the steering knuckles including a wheel mount, the track rods coupled to the steering knuckles at a location below the center of the wheel mount when the viewed in the lateral direction.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein each steering knuckle includes a rear lever portion extending in the longitudinally direction and coupled to one of the track rods.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the steering knuckles are coupled to the castings with at least one lower semi-trailing arm.

16 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a wind-up link connecting the steering knuckle to the lower semi-trailing arm, the wind-up link positioned behind the rear lever portion when the viewed in the lateral direction.

17 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising two upper control arms hingedly connected to each casting and extending laterally away from the casting and positioned in-line with the cross-car roll bar when viewed from above.

18 . A method of installing an electric motor in a rear subframe:
inserting at least one electric motor into a front side of the rear subframe configured to at least partially surround the electric motor on all sides except for the front side; and securing at least two braces to the subframe to close the front end and at least partially surround the electric motor on all sides.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising securing the electric motor to at least a portion of a built-in motor mount in the subframe

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein inserting at least one electric motor into a front side of the rear subframe comprises inserting two electric motors.

Assignees

• Faraday&Future Inc

Inventors

• Kraft Ryan Matthew
• Kurcz Joseph A
• Redder Timm Sebastian

Classifications

• B62D21/11 Primary

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

• B60G2300/50

  Electric vehicles; Hybrid vehicles · CPC title

• B60K2007/0046

  the motor moving together with the vehicle body, i.e. moving independently from the wheel axle · CPC title

• B60G2200/44

  steerable · CPC title

• B60G3/20

  all arms being rigid · CPC title