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:
Nov. 19, 2013
Filed:
Apr. 12, 2012
Jonathan Richard Young, Dundee, MI (US);
Taichi Yamashita, Northville, MI (US);
Jesse Thomas Buehler, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Naipaul Deo Ramoutar, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Gerritt Benjamin Meyers, Yspilanti, MI (US);
Jonathan Richard Young, Dundee, MI (US);
Taichi Yamashita, Northville, MI (US);
Jesse Thomas Buehler, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Naipaul Deo Ramoutar, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Gerritt Benjamin Meyers, Yspilanti, MI (US);
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Erlanger, KY (US);
Abstract
A vehicle frame includes an inverter protection brace extending between front and rear sub-frames located below and in front of side under frame members. A gusset of the brace strongly connects to the front sub-frame to load a beam section without overloading attaching bolts. The brace has a bolted connection attaches to the rear sub-frame. The brace deforms forward of the bolted connection creating a safety cage around an inverter during frontal impacts. A reinforcement bracket attaches to the side frame under members to define a pocket for temporarily catching the rear sub-frame. Ramps connect to the reinforcement bracket allowing sliding of the rear sub-frame rearward, and direct movement downwardly beneath a battery assembly. A catching surface defined on the ramp engages at least one rear sub-frame attached structure. A tether connects between the pair of side frame under-members and the rear sub-frame for improving the interaction of the rear sub-frame against the ramps.