Vehicle structures for dissipating and distributing energy associated with an impact are described herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a dash panel, a wheel well portion that is positioned proximate to an outboard portion of the dash panel, and a side support coupled to the dash panel. The vehicle also includes a front suspension mount that is coupled to the side support and a rocker support positioned outboard of the side support. The vehicle further includes a wheel that is coupled to the front suspension mount and is positioned at least partially within the wheel well portion and forward of the rocker support, an A-pillar portion that is coupled to the rocker support and to the dash panel, and an inboard gusset that is coupled to the side support and the dash panel at a position proximate to the side support and is spaced apart from the A-pillar portion.
Vehicles having a dash panel reinforcement gusset
2016-02-23
Patent
Electronic Resource
English