Automotive frame rail design to manage an offset, frontal applied load

US8936276B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Rajan V. Vyas · Troy, US
• Bhushan W. Dandekar · Rochester Hills, US
• Darek G. Villeneuve · Clarkston, US
• Marcel R. Cannon · Romeo, US
• Young Doe · Chesterfield Township, US
• Krishnarao V. Yalamanchili · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2013
• Grant date: Jan 20, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D25/082
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A body structure of a vehicle includes a bulkhead, and a frame rail extending forward from the bulkhead along a longitudinal centerline. A powertrain system is disposed laterally inboard of the frame rail relative to the longitudinal centerline. The frame rail includes a flared section, a splayed section, and a reinforcing member. The flared section curves laterally outboard, away from the longitudinal centerline. The splayed section includes a variable cross sectional area that increases with an increase in distance from the bulkhead. The reinforcing member is operable to increase lateral stiffness in the frame rail, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal centerline. The frame rail is operable to deform into contact with the powertrain system in response to a load applied to a forward end of the body structure and laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline, to generate a lateral force in the body structure.