Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Soo Aun Tan

Bradley E Bowers

Giles D Bryer

Yunjun Li

James L Luttinen

John C Johnson

Jonathan E Rich

Alfred L Kresse, Jr

Raymond L Wojdacki, Jr

Edward L Pauly

A releasable chassis mount for a vehicle having a body structure and a chassis and subjectable to an external force includes an outer sleeve, a cylindrical insert, and a chassis bolt. The outer sleeve is attachable to the chassis and has a mount release feature. The cylindrical insert is in an interference fit relationship with the outer sleeve and defines a hole. The chassis bolt extends through the hole for attaching the cylindrical insert to the body structure. The mount release feature is configured to initiate release of the cylindrical insert from the outer sleeve during such external force, whereby to enable the separation of the chassis from the body structure.

Releasable chassis mount

An energy-absorbing device is provided that is mountable to an engine cradle of a vehicle. The device includes spaced-apart first and second plates having first and second plate lengths respectively, with the first plate length being less than the second plate length. A divider plate is positioned between the first and second plates. Opposing first and second side walls connect the first plate to the divider plate. The first and second side walls have first and second angled edges defining first and second incline angles, respectively, relative to the divider plate. The first and second incline angles are each less than 90 degrees. A distal portion of the device, at least partially defined by the first and second angled edges, is configured to provide lower resistance to an impact force relative to a proximal portion of the device, thereby providing progressive crush resistance.

Energy-absorbing device for a vehicle

An interface joint for a motor vehicle is provided that serves as a node to connect a longitudinal motor compartment frame rail, an energy absorbing device, referred to as a crush box, and an engine cradle. The interface joint is a unitary component having a plate portion, first and second flange portions, and an engine cradle attachment portion. The first flange portion extends longitudinally from the plate portion and is adapted for engagement with the crush box. The second flange portion extends longitudinally from the plate portion opposite the first flange portion and is adapted for engagement with the frame rail. The engine cradle attachment portion extends between the flange portions and is adapted for attachment to the engine cradle.

Interface joint for motor vehicle

A rail assembly for a motor compartment of a motor vehicle having a bumper and a deformable energy-absorbing device secured rearward of the bumper, includes a longitudinally-extending motor compartment rail operatively connected rearward of the energy absorbing device and having an inner rail member and an outer rail member configured to define a cavity therebetween. A stability enhancement member transversely spans the cavity and is secured to both the inner rail member and the outer rail member.

Motor compartment rail assembly with stability enhancement member

An energy absorbing device includes a longitudinal extending tubular outer shell assembly tapered from a smaller end to a larger end so that upon the imposition of a longitudinal applied force on the ends thereof the tubular outer shell will collapse progressively from the smaller end toward the larger end. At least one reinforcing web is located within the tubular structure and is shorter in length than the tubular structure and has an end spaced from the one smaller end of the tubular structure that first collapses so that the web is subjected to progressive energy absorbing collapse only after the tubular outer shell assembly has begun to collapse. One or more such webs can be employed to sequentially and progressively collapse and deform to absorb the longitudinal applied force in a preferred manner.

Progressive energy absorber

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.

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Shelby Township, MI, United States of America

Soo Aun Tan