Integrated vehicle-end structure

• US 9,527,450 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2015
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tesla Motors Incorporated (Tesla Inc.)
• Inventors: Bellis, James, Vikstrom, P Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B
• Application Number:
  US14/839,822
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.1, 296/193.04, 296/203.02, 296/187.09, 296/187.11, 296/193.08, 296/193.09, 296/203.04, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/02 arranged at front of vehicle B60R5/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/04 arranged at rear of vehicle B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/082 Engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/024 Positioning of sub-units or components with respect to body shell or other sub-units or components
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/028 by determining relative positions by measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/16 the sub-units or components being exterior fittings, e.g. bumpers, lights, wipers , exhausts

Abstract

An integrated end structure for a vehicle comprises: a storage compartment module that comprises a shell forming a storage compartment therein, the storage compartment module configured to sit onto a frame rail of the vehicle; and a vehicle end module configured to be mounted onto a bracket in the vehicle that provides adjustability of the vehicle end module in a z-direction, the vehicle end module configured for holding a light unit of the vehicle. The storage compartment module is mounted onto the vehicle end module.

Claims

1. An integrated end structure for a vehicle, the integrated end structure comprising:

a storage compartment module that comprises a shell forming a storage compartment therein, the storage compartment module configured to sit onto a frame rail of the vehicle; and

a vehicle end module configured to be mounted onto a bracket in the vehicle that provides adjustability of the vehicle end module in at least a z-direction, the vehicle end module configured for holding a light unit of the vehicle;

wherein the storage compartment module is mounted onto the vehicle end module.

2. The integrated end structure of claim 1, wherein the integrated end structure is an integrated front end structure, and wherein the light unit is a front headlamp.

3. The integrated end structure of claim 1, wherein the vehicle end module comprises a left headlamp bracket mounted on one side of a center module, and a right headlamp bracket mounted on an opposite side of the center module.

4. The integrated end structure of claim 1, wherein the vehicle end module further comprises an attachment for a hood latch of the vehicle.

5. The integrated end structure of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment module and the vehicle end module are made from at least two different composites.

6. The integrated end structure of claim 1, wherein the vehicle end module is at least partly hollow and the storage compartment extends into the vehicle end module.

7. The integrated end structure of claim 1, wherein the bracket is part of a bumper beam attachment in the vehicle.

8. An integrated end structure for a vehicle, the integrated end structure comprising:

a storage compartment module that comprises a shell forming a storage compartment therein, the storage compartment module configured to sit onto a frame rail of the vehicle; and

means for i) taking load carrying capability from the storage compartment module, ii) holding a light unit of the vehicle, and iii) setting at least an x-direction position of the integrated end structure, the means configured to be mounted onto a bracket in the vehicle that provides adjustability of the means in at least a z-direction;

wherein the storage compartment module is mounted onto the means.