System for orienting front wheel of vehicle during offset frontal impact
US9120507B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2014 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D25/082
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bumper assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting platform for being fixed relative to a frame of the vehicle. A bumper beam is coupled to the mounting platform. An arm is fixed to the mounting platform at a pivot point and is pivotable about the pivot point to a deflected position for turning a wheel of the vehicle inboard during a small offset frontal impact of the vehicle. The arm orients the wheel with the front portion of the wheel being positioned inboard during the small offset frontal impact. This orientation of the wheel minimizes the magnitude of load transferred to a backup structure of the vehicle and minimizes the possibility of intrusion of the wheel into the floor or dash of the vehicle. In this orientation, the wheel can detach from the vehicle to minimize the possibility of intrusion of the wheel into the floor or dash.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.