IP Library Granted Patent US 9,527,450
Granted Patent B1
US 9,527,450 · App. 14/839,822 · Granted Dec 27, 2016

Integrated vehicle-end structure

Inventors: James Bellis (Sunnyvale, CA); P Thomas Vikstrom (Los Altos, CA)
Assignee: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
B60R5/04B62D65/024
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,527,450
App. No.
14/839,822
Granted
Dec 27, 2016
Kind
B1
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 (13)

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.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 19, 2020
From: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
To: TESLA, INC.
Reel/Frame 053549/0236 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2015
From: BELLIS, JAMES; VIKSTROM, P THOMAS
To: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036872/0825 →