Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Joshua Holder

Edward D Moss

Peter M Parlow

Mark J McGuire

Keith J Saari

Robert M Kielbik

Tadge J Juechter

Ulhas Grover

Christopher G Basela

Thomas James Toft

John Ivan Freeburg

A body structure includes a generally trough-shaped first structural member having a floor, two opposed side walls having respective top edges, and an open top along a length of the first structural member defining a generally U-shaped cross-section. The first structural member has a first portion with a first flow direction therethrough and a second portion with a second flow direction therethrough different from the first flow direction, the first portion having opposed first and second ends with a first opening in the first end, the second portion having opposed third and fourth ends with a second opening in the fourth end, wherein the second and third ends are in fluid communication with each other. The first portion has a first average depth and the second portion has a deepened portion having a second average depth larger than the first average depth.

Body structure with integrated air channel

A load impact management system for a vehicle includes a plurality of cross-vehicle support members extending from a first side of the vehicle to a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side of the vehicle, a shock tower spaced apart from the plurality of cross-vehicle support members and fixed to the vehicle frame rail, a first structural member extending along a first plane, a second structural member extending along a second plane separate from the first plane, and a third structural member extending along a third plane separate from the first and second planes. The first structural member defines a first load path between the center tunnel and the shock tower, the second structural member defines a second load path between the center tunnel and the shock tower, and the third structural member defines a third load path between the center tunnel and the vehicle frame rail.

Load path geometry for vehicle structure

A system for providing structural transmittal of force through a vehicle body of a mid-engine vehicle is provided. The system includes an elongated single member torsional box spanning a passenger compartment from a vehicle-forward portion of the passenger compartment to a vehicle-rearward portion of the passenger compartment, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, and laterally centered upon a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body. The system further includes four rails in a vehicle-forward position relative to the elongated single member torsional box, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, and offset from the elongated single member torsional box. The system further includes four diagonal support members, each diagonal support member being connected at a first end to one of the four rails and at a second end to the elongated single member torsional box.

Close coupled four rail front structure system transferring compressive loads into a single center torsion/compression member

A system for providing structural transmittal of force through a vehicle body of a mid-engine vehicle is provided. The system includes an elongated single member torsional box spanning a passenger compartment. The system further includes two vehicle body side members spanning an outer lateral edge of the passenger compartment. The system further includes four rails parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body. The system further includes four inner diagonal support members, each inner diagonal support member being connected at a first end to one of the four rails and on the second end to the elongated single member torsional box and being configured to transmit force from the one of the four rails to the single member torsional box. The system further includes four outer diagonal support members, each outer diagonal support member being configured to transmit force to one of the vehicle body side members.

Four rail front crush structure with load dissemination into eight element support structure

Growing community of inventors

Clinton Township, MI, United States of America

Joshua Holder