The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 27, 2010
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2008
Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Michael Azzouz, Livonia, MI (US);
Timothy A. Mouch, Troy, MI (US);
Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Michael Azzouz, Livonia, MI (US);
Timothy A. Mouch, Troy, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A lower frame rail member forms a part of an automotive front end structure and incorporates first and second bending hinges to provide sequential and alternating bending of the lower frame rail to manage crash forces in the event of a frontal or offset crash event. The first bending hinge is formed by a structural thinning pocket located on the outboard side of the lower frame rail forwardly of the engine mounting bracket. The second bending hinge is formed by V-necking the inboard side of the lower frame rail rearwardly of the engine mounting bracket. The first bending hinge affects an outboard buckling of the frame rail after the front horn section crushes rearwardly into the lower frame rail to induce an inboard movement thereof, while the second bending hinge affects an inboard buckling of the frame rail to induce an outboard movement thereof rearwardly of the engine mounting bracket.