U.S. patent application number 13/348914 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for frangible connector for a vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saeed David Barbat, Jamel E. Belwafa, Thierry Guimberteau, Christopher Stephen O'Connor. Invention is credited to Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saeed David Barbat, Jamel E. Belwafa, Thierry Guimberteau, Christopher Stephen O'Connor.
Application Number | 20130181481 13/348914 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48751641 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130181481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baccouche; Mohamed Ridha ;
et al. |
July 18, 2013 |
FRANGIBLE CONNECTOR FOR A VEHICLE
Abstract
A frangible vehicle sub-frame joint between a sub-frame and
compartment pan. The sub-frame defines a clearance area forward of
a collar. In a collision event, the collar is separated into a
breakaway portion and a portion that is retained by the sub-frame.
The breakaway portion breaks into a clearance area defined in front
of the frame joint when the sub-frame is subjected to a front end
impact.
Inventors: |
Baccouche; Mohamed Ridha;
(Ann Arbor, MI) ; Belwafa; Jamel E.; (Ann Arbor,
MI) ; O'Connor; Christopher Stephen; (Livonia,
MI) ; Guimberteau; Thierry; (West Bloomfield, MI)
; Barbat; Saeed David; (Novi, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Baccouche; Mohamed Ridha
Belwafa; Jamel E.
O'Connor; Christopher Stephen
Guimberteau; Thierry
Barbat; Saeed David |
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor
Livonia
West Bloomfield
Novi |
MI
MI
MI
MI
MI |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
48751641 |
Appl. No.: |
13/348914 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/187.08 ;
293/150 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 21/155
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/187.08 ;
293/150 |
International
Class: |
B62D 25/20 20060101
B62D025/20; B60R 19/04 20060101 B60R019/04 |
Claims
1. A vehicle frame joint comprising: a sub-frame defining an
opening; a collar retains a receptacle, wherein the collar is
assembled into the opening, a first portion of the collar is
attached to the sub-frame, a clearance space is defined between a
second portion of the collar and the opening in the sub-frame in a
first direction; a pin inserted in the receptacle, wherein the
second portion of the collar is displaceable into the clearance
space upon an impact to disconnect the sub-frame from the pin; and
an isolator ring is disposed within the collar, and wherein the
receptable receives the pin.
2. The vehicle frame joint of claim 1 wherein the first portion of
the collar is supported by the sub-frame on an opposite side of the
collar from the clearance space.
3. (canceled)
4. The vehicle frame joint of claim 1 wherein the sub-frame is a
rear sub-frame arm of the sub-frame.
5. The vehicle frame joint of claim 4 in combination with a
compartment pan and wherein the rear sub-frame arm is secured to
the compartment pan by the pin and drops down below the compartment
pan when the sub-frame is disconnected from the pin.
6. The vehicle frame joint of claim 5 wherein the impact is a
frontal impact and during the frontal impact the rear sub-frame arm
is separated from the compartment pan and the second portion of the
collar is displaced into the clearance space.
7. A frangible joint in a vehicle comprising: a frame part defining
an opening; a collar received in the opening; and a pin received in
the collar for securing the frame part to the vehicle, wherein the
opening defines a clearance space that extends radially outwardly
from the collar in one direction toward an anticipated impact
location, and wherein a portion of the collar is positioned to
break into the clearance space in response to an impact at the
anticipated impact location.
8. The frangible joint of claim 7 wherein the frame part separates
from the pin when the collar breaks into the clearance space.
9. The frangible joint of claim 7 wherein the collar has a
tensioned area that is attached to the frame part on an opposite
side of the collar from the clearance space.
10. The frangible joint of claim 7 wherein the frame part is a rear
sub-frame arm of a sub-frame.
11. The frangible joint of claim 10 wherein the rear sub-frame arm
is secured to the pin to drop down from the pin when the portion of
the collar breaks into the clearance space in response to the
impact and the rear sub-frame arm is disconnected from the pin.
12. The frangible joint of claim 11 wherein the impact is a frontal
impact and during the frontal impact the rear sub-frame arm is
disconnected from the pin when the collar breaks and the portion of
the collar is displaced into the clearance space.
13. A sub-frame assembly for a vehicle having a passenger
compartment that includes a compartment pan, the sub-frame assembly
comprising: a sub-frame having a rear sub-frame arm defining an
opening; a pin securing the rear sub-frame arm to the compartment
pan; a collar is assembled into the opening in the rear sub-frame
arm, wherein a rear portion of the collar is partially attached to
the rear sub-frame arm with a clearance space defined between the
opening and a front portion of the collar; and wherein a force
applied to the vehicle that is transferred to the sub-frame
assembly causes the rear sub-frame arm to fracture the collar with
the rear portion of the collar separating from the front portion of
the collar that moves into the clearance space.
14. The sub-frame assembly of claim 13 wherein the rear sub-frame
arm separates from the compartment pan when the rear portion of the
collar separates from the front portion of the collar.
15. The sub-frame assembly of claim 13 wherein the rear portion of
the collar is welded to the rear sub-frame arm on an opposite side
of the collar from the clearance space.
16. The sub-frame assembly of claim 13 wherein the rear sub-frame
arm is secured below the compartment pan and drops down from the
compartment pan when the rear portion of the collar separates from
the front portion of the collar.
17. The sub-frame assembly of claim 16 wherein the force applied to
the vehicle is from a frontal impact and during the frontal impact
the rear sub-frame arm separates from the compartment pan.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to a frame connector that breaks in
an impact to reduce the extent of intrusion into the passenger
compartment and generally soften the pulse of the impact.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vehicles are tested for crash worthiness and are rated based
upon factors such as intrusion and vehicle pulse performance. One
parameter in testing vehicle design is the extent of any intrusion
into a passenger compartment of a vehicle as a result of a crash
test. The pulse of an impact is another parameter of vehicle design
that is measured as the deceleration in a collision over time.
[0003] Vehicles are designed to absorb impacts with crush cans,
crumple zones, and the like. The goal is to provide a more
controlled kinematic design for a vehicle in the event of a
collision event. Frame members are normally secured to the vehicle
body with pin connectors that are designed to remain intact and
hold the frame members and vehicle body together. Pin connectors
must be strong enough to provide a robust connection between the
parts connected by the pin. For example, a pin connector for a rear
arm sub-frame connection to the frame rail and passenger
compartment is intended to provide a robust connection.
[0004] This disclosure is directed to solving the above problems
and other problems as summarized below.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle frame
joint is provided that comprises a frame member defining an
opening, a collar and a pin. The collar defines a receptacle
assembled into the opening with a first portion of the collar
attached to the frame member. A clearance space is defined between
a second portion of the collar and the frame member in a first
direction. The pin is inserted in the receptacle with the second
portion of the collar being displaced into the clearance space upon
an impact to disconnect the frame member from the pin.
[0006] According to other aspects of the disclosure, the first
portion of the collar is supported by the frame member on the
opposite side of the collar from the clearance space.
[0007] An isolator may be provided within the collar that receives
the pin. The frame member may be a rear arm of a sub-frame that
supports an engine of the vehicle. The rear arm may be secured to a
compartment pan by the pin to drop down below the compartment pan
when the frame member is disconnected from the pin. During the
impact, the rear sub-frame arm may be separated from the
compartment pan when the collar shears and the second portion of
the collar is displaced into the clearance space.
[0008] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a frangible
joint in a vehicle is provided that comprises a frame part defining
an opening, a collar received in the opening; and a pin is received
in the collar to secure the frame part to the vehicle. The first
opening defines a clearance space that extends radially outwardly
from the collar in one direction toward an anticipated impact
location. A portion of the collar is predisposed to break into the
clearance space in response to an impact at the anticipated impact
location.
[0009] According to other aspects of the disclosure, the frame part
is intended to separate from the pin when the collar breaks. The
collar may have a backing portion that is attached to the frame
part on the opposite side of the collar from the clearance
space.
[0010] The frame part may be a rear sub-frame arm that supports an
engine of the vehicle. The rear sub-frame arm may be secured to the
pin to drop down the pin when the rear sub-frame arm is
disconnected from the pin. A front bumper beam may be attached to
the sub-frame for protection in a frontal impact. During the
impact, the rear sub-frame arm of the sub-frame is separated from
the pin when the collar breaks and a front portion of the collar
may be displaced into the clearance space.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a
sub-frame assembly is provided for a vehicle having a passenger
compartment that includes a floor. The sub-frame assembly comprises
a sub-frame and a rear sub-frame arm defining an opening. A pin
secures the sub-frame through the frame rail to the compartment
pan. The pin is received in a collar that is assembled to the
opening to a rear portion of the collar that is partially attached
to the rear sub-frame arm. A clearance area is defined between the
opening and a front portion of the collar. A force applied to the
vehicle that is transferred to the sub-frame assembly may cause the
rear sub-frame arm to fracture the collar with the rear portion of
the collar separating from the front portion of the collar that
moves into the clearance space.
[0012] According to other aspects of the sub-frame assembly, the
rear sub-frame arm may separate from the compartment pan when the
collar fractures. The rear portion of the collar may be welded to
the rear sub-frame arm on the opposite side of the collar from the
clearance area. The rear sub-frame arm may be secured below the
compartment pan to drop down from the compartment pan when the rear
portion of the collar separates from the front portion. The force
applied to the vehicle may be from a frontal impact and during the
frontal impact the rear sub-frame arm may separate from the
compartment pan.
[0013] The aspects of the summarized above and other aspects will
be better understood with reference to the attached drawings and
the following detailed description of the illustrated
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a
sub-frame and frame joint for connecting the sub-frame to a vehicle
compartment pan;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a rear sub-frame arm,
collar and isolator ring in an installed condition;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the rear sub-frame
arm, collar and isolator ring in a post-impact condition;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of
the rear sub-frame arm connected by a frame joint to the vehicle
compartment pan;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of
the rear sub-frame arm, frame joint and compartment pan with the
collar broken;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of
the rear sub-frame arm dropping down away from the isolator after
breaking the collar; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of an alternative
embodiment of a rear sub-frame arm, collar and isolator ring in an
installed condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] A detailed description of the illustrated embodiment of the
present invention is provided below. The disclosed embodiments are
examples of the invention that may be embodied in various and
alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Some
features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. The specific structural and functional
details disclosed in this application are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art how to practice the invention.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, frame joint, generally indicated by
reference numeral 10, is shown with its component parts in an
exploded perspective view on the right side of a sub-frame 12. Some
of the component parts of the frame joint 10 are shown to be
assembled on the left side of the sub-frame 12. The sub-frame 12 is
the portion of the frame of the vehicle that supports the engine
(not shown) on the frame rails (not shown). A portion of a
compartment pan 16 is also illustrated. The frame joint 10 includes
a pin 18 and a collar 20 that are assembled together with an
isolator ring 22. The isolator ring 22 is an elastomeric member
that isolates noise and vibration that may be conducted through the
frame and sub-frame to the compartment pan 16. The engine and other
functional elements of the vehicle are sources of noise and
vibration that are intended to be reduced or limited by the
isolator ring 22.
[0023] The frame joint also includes a bracket 26 in which the pin
18 is inserted that is disposed below the sub-frame 12. The pin 18
is inserted through the bracket 26, and isolator ring 22 and is
secured in place by a weld nut 28. Weld nut 28 is welded to the
compartment pan 16.
[0024] A clearance area 30 is defined in front of the collar 20 in
the sub-frame 12. The collar 20 is secured to the sub-frame 12 by
welding to a welded regions 32 are a generally semi-circular area
on a rear portion of the collar 20. The welded region 32 secures
the collar 20 to the sub-frame 12. The welded region 32 may also be
referred to as the tensioned area.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the rear sub-frame arm 36 may be an
integral part of the sub-frame as shown in FIG. 1 or may be a
separate part fastened to the sub-frame 12. The rear sub-frame arm
36 defines the clearance area 30 forward of the collar 20 and
isolator ring 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the collar 20 is intact and
appears as it would appear when the sub-frame arm 36 is in its
normal condition with the isolator ring 22, collar 20 and welded
region 32 secured together.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the rear sub-frame arm 36 is shown
after an impact, indicated by the arrow shown to the left side of
FIG. 3, is imparted to the vehicle. As a result of the impact force
represented by the arrow, the rear sub-frame arm 36 is driven
rearward causing the collar 20 shown in FIG. 2 to separate into a
breakaway portion 20a and a retained portion 20b. The isolator ring
22 is shown moving with the breakaway portion 20a, although it
should be understood that in the dynamics of a collision event,
some random displacement of the breakaway portion 20a and isolator
ring 22 may occur. The breakaway portion 20a may break only on one
side of the collar 20 and may remain attached to the retained
portion 20b.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, the rear sub-frame arm 36 is shown to
be attached by the pin 18 to the compartment pan 16. The frame
joint 10 is shown intact with the collar 20 encircling the isolator
ring 22. The welded regions 32 are at the top and bottom on the
opposite side of the collar 20 from the front of the vehicle and
clearance area 30. The bracket 26 is attached to the bottom of the
isolator ring 22 by the pin 18 and the pin 18 is shown to be
secured in place by the weld nut 28.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, an impact indicated by an arrow on the
left side of the figure is shown driving the rear sub-frame arm 36
rearward as would be expected to occur in the event of a front end
collision. As shown in FIG. 5, the collar 20 shown in FIG. 4 is
separated into a breakaway portion 20a and a retained portion 20b.
The retained portion 20b remains secured to the rear sub-frame arm
36 at the welded region 32. As previously described with reference
to FIG. 3, the isolator ring 22 is shown moving with the breakaway
portion 20a, although it should be understood that in the dynamics
of a collision event, some random displacement of the breakaway
portion 20a and isolator ring 22 may occur. The breakaway portion
20a may break only on one side of the collar 20 and may remain
attached to the retained portion 20b.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 6, the rear sub-frame arm 36 is shown
dropping down and away from the isolator ring 22 and pin 18. The
breakaway portion 20a of the collar is broken away from the
retained portion 20b. The retained portion 20b of the collar drops
with the rear sub-frame arm 36 clear of the isolator ring 22. The
rear sub-frame arm 36 either separates or deforms the bracket 26 to
permit the rear sub-frame arm 36 to drop down.
[0030] In a collision event, separating and dropping the sub-frame
12 and rear sub-frame arm 36 from the isolator ring 22 and pin 18
may provide additional protection to occupants of the passenger
compartment and increases the space available to absorb energy and
minimize any intrusion in the passenger compartment or tendency of
the compartment pan 16 to be impacted. Increasing the space
available for energy absorption, softens the pulse of the impact.
The collar 20, shown in FIG. 4, is separated into the breakaway
portion 20a and retained portion 20b. The force for separating the
breakaway portion 20a from the retained portion 20b requires much
less energy than the energy required to shear the pin 18. The pin
18 may be specified to be a robust pin that is not expected to
shear in the event of a collision event. The robustness of the pin
18 assures the integrity of the connection between sub-frame 12 and
the compartment pan 16.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of a
sub-frame 40 is illustrated in which a hook-shaped end 42 is
provided to retain a collar 44, isolator 46 and pin 48. The area 50
in front of the collar 44 defines a clearance space. In the event
of a front end collision, the sub-frame 40 would be driven
rearward, or from left to right as shown in the drawing. The collar
44 would break and the isolator 46 and pin 48 would separate from
the sub-frame 40. The sub-frame 40 is then free to drop down as
previously described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS.
1-6.
[0032] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *