Patent ID: 9016768
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A vehicle front end structure comprising: an engine cradle including a side engine cradle member located rearward of a front corner of the engine cradle, the side engine cradle member having an uppermost surface and an engine mounting structure located rearward relative to the front corner; an engine assembly attached to the engine mounting structure of the engine cradle; and a lateral energy transfer member fixedly attached to the uppermost surface of the side engine cradle member, the lateral energy transfer member being located above the side engine cradle member between the front corner and the engine mounting structure and extending along a section of the uppermost surface of the side engine cradle member, the lateral energy transfer member having an engine contact surface positioned above the side engine cradle member and adjacent an engine structure of the engine assembly with a prescribed lateral gap between the engine contact surface and the engine structure, the prescribed lateral gap being dimensioned such that in response to a lateral force being applied to the side engine cradle member the engine cradle deforms moving the engine contact surface into direct contact with the engine assembly thereby transferring lateral energy to the engine assembly.