Deflector structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9260135-B2
Application number	US-201414297490-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 5, 2014
Priority date	Jun 5, 2014
Publication date	Feb 16, 2016
Grant date	Feb 16, 2016

Abstract

A deflector member comprises opposing first and second walls and a plurality of sidewalls arranged adjacent to each other and between the first and second walls, the sidewalls having a cross-sectional shape between the first and second walls that is at least three-sided. The deflector member is adapted to mount to a vehicle frame. The deflector member is further adapted to extend distally from the first wall to the second wall relative to the vehicle frame, and away from a centerline of the vehicle frame.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A deflector member comprising:
opposing first and second walls;
a plurality of sidewalls arranged adjacent to each other and between the first and second walls, the sidewalls having a cross-sectional shape between the first and second walls that is at least three-sided at least one of the sidewalls including a ridge extending between the first wall and the second wall;
the deflector member being adapted to mount to an endplate at the first wall on a vehicle frame, the endplate extending downwardly from a vehicle chassis such that the deflector member, when mounted to the endplate, extends forward from the endplate with respect to the chassis and is beneath a vehicle bumper; and
the deflector member being further adapted to extend distally from the first wall to an exposed surface of the second wall relative to the vehicle frame, and away from a centerline of the vehicle frame below a crush can mounted to the endplate.

2. The deflector member of claim 1 , wherein the first wall of the deflector member is adapted to be mounted to a chassis of the vehicle frame.

3. The deflector member of claim 1 , wherein the first wall of the deflector member is adapted to be mounted to a sub-frame of the vehicle frame.

4. The deflector member of claim 1 , wherein the first wall of the deflector member is adapted to be mounted to a rail of the vehicle frame.

5. The deflector member of claim 1 , wherein the first wall of the deflector member is adapted to be mounted to a cross member of the vehicle frame.

6. The deflector member of claim 1 , wherein the deflector member is constructed from metal.

7. The deflector member of claim 1 , wherein the ridge extends partially from the first wall to the second wall.

8. A vehicle frame, comprising:
a chassis;
a deflector member having a first wall and an opposing second wall, the first wall mounted to an endplate mounted to the chassis, the endplate extending downwardly from the chassis such that the deflector member, when mounted to the endplate, extends forward from the endplate with respect to the chassis and is beneath a vehicle bumper, wherein the deflector member extends distally relative to the vehicle frame and terminates at an exposed surface of the second wall;
a plurality of sidewalls arranged adjacent to each other and between the first and second walls; and
wherein the deflector member extends away from a centerline of the vehicle frame below a crush can mounted on the endplate.

9. The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein the deflector member is mounted to a sub-frame.

10. The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein the deflector member is mounted to a rail.

11. The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein the deflector member is mounted to a cross member.

12. The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the sidewalls includes a ridge extending from the first wall to the second wall.

13. The vehicle frame of claim 12 , wherein the ridge extends partially from the first wall to the second wall.

14. The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein the deflector member has a cross-sectional shape between the first wall and second wall that is at least three-sided.

15. The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein the second wall has a larger surface area than the first wall.

16. The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein the deflector member is mounted to a first end of the vehicle frame away from a centerline of the vehicle frame.

17. The vehicle frame of claim 16 , where the deflector member is mounted a distance away from the centerline of the vehicle frame, wherein the distance away is substantially 25% of the width of the vehicle frame.

18. The vehicle frame of claim 8 , wherein the deflector member is located at least partially below the first bumper.

19. A vehicle frame, comprising:
a chassis including a sub-frame;
an endplate adapted to mount to the chassis;
a deflector member having a first wall and an opposing second wall, the first wall being mounted to the sub-frame, wherein the deflector member extends distally relative to the vehicle frame and terminates at an exposed surface of the second wall; and
a plurality of sidewalls arranged adjacent to each other and between the first and second walls;
wherein the deflector member is adapted to mount to the endplate, the endplate extending downwardly from the chassis such that the deflector member, when mounted to the endplate, extends forward from the endplate with respect to the chassis and is beneath a vehicle bumper and further adapted to extend distally from the first wall to the second wall relative to the vehicle frame, below a crush can mounted on the endplate, and away from a centerline of the vehicle frame to absorb energy during an off-center collision.

20. The vehicle frame of claim 19 , wherein at least one of the sidewalls includes a ridge protruding from the sidewall and extending partially between the first wall and the second wall.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Butukuri Ramanjaneya Reddy
• Qu Yi Tony
• O'Connor Chris Stephen
• Khan Ahteram

Classifications

• B62D21/155 Primary

  Sub-frames or underguards · CPC title

• B60R19/16

  having deflecting members, e.g. rollers, balls · CPC title

• B60R19/04 Primary

  formed from more than one section {in a side-by-side arrangement} · CPC title

• B60R19/34

  destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type · CPC title