Collision deflector assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9481395-B2
Application number	US-201514721371-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 26, 2015
Priority date	Jul 17, 2013
Publication date	Nov 1, 2016
Grant date	Nov 1, 2016

Abstract

A vehicle frame is provided having a frame. The frame includes a main rail and a lateral rail. A bracket is operably coupled to the main rail. The vehicle frame assembly also includes a wedged shape deflecting member. The wedged shape deflecting member has a first end which is operably coupled to the bracket and a second end which is operable between a standard use position and a collision event position. The standard use position is where the second end is spaced a predetermined distance from the main rail. The collision event position is when the second end is in abutting contact with the main rail. During a collision event, the second end moves from the standard use position to the collision event position such that the deflecting member absorbs and deflects energy imparted on the frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle frame assembly comprising:
a front bumper;
a main rail including a bracket; and
a wedge-shaped deflecting member including:
a first end operably coupled to the bracket; and
a second end operable between a standard use position wherein the second end is spaced a predetermined distance from the main rail, and a collision event position wherein the second end rotates into abutting contact with the main rail under force relayed through the front bumper.

2. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a lateral rail, wherein the deflecting member is disposed between the front bumper, the lateral rail, and the main rail.

3. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein the deflecting member includes a connecting flange disposed on the first end of the deflecting member and operably coupled to the main rail.

4. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein the deflecting member moves from the standard use position to the collision event position independently of the main rail.

5. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein the deflecting member includes a plurality of ribs.

6. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of bumps disposed on the main rail.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Baccouche Ridha
• Barbat Saeed David
• Belwafa Jamel E
• Arora Rahul

Classifications

• B62D21/152 Primary

  Front or rear frames · CPC title

• B60R19/14

  having folding parts · CPC title

• B60R19/34

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

• B60R2021/0023

  Offset collision · CPC title

• B62D25/082

  Engine compartments · CPC title