Vehicle crash management apparatus and methods of use and manufacture thereof

摘要

A crash management system includes a main frame that is configured to define a vehicular passenger compartment and that includes a lower cross member generally extending along a transverse direction of the vehicle. A front sub-frame includes a pair of bent members. Each of the bent members includes a longitudinal portion that extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and that is configured to support the suspension components. Each of the bent members also includes a bend portion that extends from the respective longitudinal portion at an angle and that is disposed between the respective longitudinal portion and the lower cross member of the main frame. The longitudinal and bend portions are configured such that each of the bend portions deform, and each of the longitudinal portions continue to extend substantially longitudinally, if the impact energy applied to the vehicle exceeds a first threshold.

主权项

1. A crash management system for dissipating at least a part of impact energy applied to a vehicle that includes suspension components and a passenger compartment, the crash management system comprising:
a main frame that is configured to define the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the main frame including a lower cross member that generally extends along a transverse direction of the vehicle; and a front sub-frame that includes a pair of bent members, each of the bent members including a longitudinal portion that extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and that is configured to support the suspension components, each of the bent members also including a bend portion that extends from the respective longitudinal portion at an angle and that is disposed between the respective longitudinal portion and the lower cross member of the main frame, the bend portions extending across a transverse plane to the vehicle and being directly connected to the lower cross member, the longitudinal and bend portions being configured such that each of the bend portions deform, and each of the longitudinal portions continue to extend substantially longitudinally, if the impact energy applied to the vehicle exceeds a first threshold.