Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Senthilkumar Mahadevan

Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam

Saeed David Barbat

Zhibing Deng

James Chih Cheng

Joseph Edward Abramczyk

David James Bauch

Raj Jayachandran

A vehicle system includes at least one sensor configured to detect an impact and a restraint device configured to deploy in response to the impact. A processing device is configured to deploy the restraint device in accordance with a first timing if the impact includes a front impact and a second timing if the impact includes a side impact. The second timing includes the first timing delayed by a predetermined value.

Side impact vehicle restraint deployment

According to one embodiment, the invention provides for a light truck including a frame with opposing longitudinal frame rails running along each side of the vehicle. The frame rails include at least a leading portion with vertical placement lowered and selected to substantially align with a passenger car energy management structure. In this embodiment, the vertical placement of the leading portion of the light truck frame rails is selected to direct impact energy to a passenger car longitudinal energy management structure, improving vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a front longitudinal impact with a passenger car. The present invention also provides embodiments which increase the impact energy absorption capacity of a light truck by providing geometric softening of the frame rails and material softening of the frame rails.

Sport utility vehicle (SUV) frame architecture for improved vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility

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Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Senthilkumar Mahadevan