Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Oliver Eichelhard

Lutz Uhlenbruch

Mark A Stebbins

Sharath Varadappa

Axel Wendorf

Sabrina Patschicke

Sebastian Buckert

A plate-shaped body component for a motor vehicle has a planar core zone, a planar edge zone and a first intermediate zone, which is set off from the core zone and from the edge zone by at least one step each. The core zone and the edge zone are deflected against the first intermediate zone in opposite directions of a surface normal of the first intermediate zones.

Body component for a motor vehicle

Disclosed are vehicle steering column assemblies with viscous dampers, methods for making and for using such assemblies, and motor vehicles with steering column assemblies having viscous dampers. A steering column assembly is disclosed that includes a first shaft member that connects to a steering wheel/handle, and a second shaft member that connects to a vehicle body. These shaft members are telescopingly connected such that one shaft member selectively translates longitudinally with respect to the other shaft member. A viscous damper assembly is interposed between the two shaft members. The viscous damper assembly includes a damper housing with first and second reservoir volumes disposed inside the housing. Multiple constricted flow channels fluidly connect the reservoir volumes. Viscous fluid flows from the first reservoir volume, through the constricted flow channels, to the second reservoir volume in response to relative vibrational displacement between the shaft members to thereby viscously attenuate vibrational energy.

Viscous dampers for steering columns of motor vehicles

A crash structure for attachment to a front subframe for a motor vehicle is provided. The crash structure includes an attachment area and a stiffening structure that reinforces the crash structure in the attachment area for the front subframe. The stiffening structure connects the crash structure to the front subframe in a friction-locked and/or formfitting manner.

Crash structure for attachment to a front subframe for a motor vehicle

A front axle support is provided with arrangement of a steering gear and a front axle stabilizer. The front axle support has receptacles for fastening the steering gear and for fastening the front axle stabilizer with screw connections. The steering gear and the front axle stabilizer are fixed on a common fitting. The common fitting is disposed with a common screw connection on the front axle support.

Growing community of inventors

Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany

Oliver Eichelhard