Energy absorbing front frame structure for a vehicle

US6938948B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Daimlerchrysler AG · US

Inventors

• Troy M. Cornell · Farmington Hills, US
• Gerald F Burke · Livonia, US
• Harry Gu · Novi, US
• Pratap Naick · Lake Orion, US
• Mark Kirschmann · Clarkston, US
• Gregory A. Beecher · Madison Heights, US
• Harjeet Gill · Windsor, CA
• Erin Marie SHIPP · Charleston, US
• Kenneth J Haller · Davisburg, US
• Michael Okuniewicz · Royal Oak, US
• Manfred Staisch · Lake Orion, US
• Dave Cottrell · Waterford, US
• Larry Ososki · Warren, US
• Norman Hartmann · Chesterfield Township, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 27, 2004
• Grant date: Sep 6, 2005
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D21/155
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for absorbing energy during a frontal collision of a vehicle, through the use of a front frame structure having main frame rails that include several deformable and non-deformable sections which are connected by selectively crushable junctures that are configured to predispose one or more of the junctures and sections to pivot selectively outward, rearward and upward, in a predetermined manner, during the collision. The front frame structure also includes an engine cradle, attached below the main frame rails, and having a pair of side rails that include forward and rear crushable junctures joined by non-deformable intermediate sections, with the crushable junctures of the main frame rails and engine cradle side rails being configured to predispose the intermediate sections of the engine cradle side rails to move downward and rearward during the collision.