Vehicle structure

US10377420B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · US

Inventors

• Kazunori Iimi · Yokohama, JP
• Takemi Nishikawa · Yokohama, JP
• Takao Tani · Miyoshi, JP
• Hideo Aimoto · Zama, JP
• Naoki Kamizawa · Saitama, JP
• Christopher Robert Hartley · Beverly Hills, US
• Patrick Dean Grattan · Wixom, US
• Joseph Buratto · Beverly Hills, US
• Perry McConnell · Farmington Hills, US
• David James Wozniak · Canton, US
• Michael McGory · Beverly Hills, US
• Gunnar Mason · Holly, US
• Matthew Gapinski · Beverly Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 8, 2018
• Grant date: Aug 13, 2019
• Expiry date: Mar 8, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D21/05
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An off-center impact reinforcement structure includes a push arm proximate rearward of a front portion of the vehicle frame. The push arm extends in a forward and laterally outboard direction from a front side member. A rear surface of the push arm is located below the first side member. During an initial stage of an off-center impact event in which a stationary barrier directly impacts a front surface of the push arm, impacting forces from the off-center impact event move the rear surface of the push arm into contact with brackets that extend downward from the front side member and transfer through the push arm to brackets and to the vehicle frame. In a second stage, a rear surface of the push arm contacts the vehicle frame as the push arm pivots with the front surface of the push arm moving in a laterally outboard direction.