Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

John C Johnson

Robert N Saje

Giles D Bryer

Bryan F Lake

Hamid Ghavami Kia

Bradley Allen Newcomb

Terry A Swartzell

Edward D Moss

Peter M Parlow

James L Luttinen

Keith J Saari

Soo Aun Tan

Alfred L Kresse, Jr

Michael E Quigley

Daniel K Davis

Raymond L Wojdacki, Jr

Artur Wyszynski

Edward L Pauly

Dilip Mulji Bhalsod

Craig W Stumpf

Stephen P Moss

Chad Cromwell

Kevin J Lindsey

A vehicle chassis rail includes a tubular structure and an insert, both co-extending along a centerline. The insert is disposed, at least in-part, in the tubular structure, and includes a first wall, a second wall opposed to the first wall, and a corrugated mid-wall spanning laterally between, and attached to, the first and second walls.

Vehicle body structure

A structure that creates a compressive mechanical lock during an external force includes a beam, an offset bulkhead, and a compressive member. The beam has a hollow cross section, an axis, and a wall. The bulkhead is disposed within the hollow cross section and attached to the wall. The member has an axis and an end attached to one of the bulkhead and the beam wall. The member axis and the beam axis intersect with each other in a plan view to form an obtuse angle. The bulkhead is offset from the intersection in an offset direction, parallel to the beam axis and toward the opening of the obtuse angle. The external force causes the member end to deform the beam wall so as to create a pocket or compressive mechanical lock in the beam wall that mechanically locks the member end from moving in the offset direction.

Offset bulkhead for creating a compressive mechanical lock

A product comprising a drainable section stabilizer sleeve for a vehicle body structure.

Drainable section stabilizer sleeve

A number of variations may include a product including an energy absorbing component for a vehicle comprising at least one of a crush can, an insert for a cross car beam or a front impact extension.

Energy absorbing vehicle component

A number of variations may include a method comprising providing a first design or a first reusable casting die for producing a vehicle rear rail having multiple pre-determined datum features; producing a first vehicle rear rail and a second vehicle rear rail from the first design or the first reusable casting die; wherein the first vehicle rear rail and the second vehicle rear rail are identical; using the first vehicle rear rail to make a first vehicle having a first wheelbase and using the second vehicle rear rail to make a second vehicle having a second wheelbase; and wherein the second wheelbase is longer than the first wheelbase.

Cast datums for wheelbase tuning

A number of variations may include a center tunnel assembly which may include a series of truss structures.

Center tunnel integrated truss architecture

A product comprising a lateral beam system which may include a 4-bar beam having a first bend forming a constant sweep across the length of the lateral beam creating a vertical arc and a second bend forming a constant sweep across the length of the lateral beam creating a horizontal arc and which may also include a plurality of brackets which may be attached to the 4-bar beam and wherein the lateral beam system may be attached to a vehicle at an angled toward the front of the vehicle and a method of making the same.

Optimized high strength lateral beam system

A number of variations may include a product including an extrusion having an extruded profile including a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Mass optimized extrusions, assemblies including the same and methods of making and using the same

A vehicle frame structure provides a large protected cavity. Lateral energy management zones absorb impact energy on the sides of the protected cavity, and forward and rearward energy management zones absorb impact energy forward and rearward of the protected cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is characterized by dual load paths along the protected cavity and by graduated front and rear energy management zones.

Vehicle lower frame structure

According to the invention, a vehicle chassis includes first and second longitudinal extending side rails which are laterally spaced apart. A cross member extends transversely between the first and second side rails and has bolt holes therein. A longitudinally extending slotted aperture is provided in each side rail and registers with the bolt holes of the cross member. Each of the side rails has a cage member attached thereto and overlying aligned the slotted aperture. Each cage member has a longitudinally extending slotted aperture registering with the slotted aperture of the side rail and each has a nut captured therein for longitudinal movement of the nut within the cage member along the slotted aperture. A bolt is installed through the cross member bolt hole, through the slotted aperture of the side rail, and into the nut to attach the cross member and the side rail. Impact force applied against the cross member induces forced longitudinal movement of the cross member relative to the side rail as permitted by longitudinal movement of the bolt along the slotted aperture. At least one of the slotted apertures is constricted by a metal web or other constriction which normally blocks longitudinal movement of the bolt and then yields so that the relative longitudinal movement of the bolt causes yielding of the metal to absorb energy.

Growing community of inventors

Macomb Township, MI, United States of America

John C Johnson