Patent ID: 8402878

Claim:
An axle assembly of a vehicle, comprising: a side plate of a vehicle support structure; a wheel end assembly; a lower control arm extending between the side plate and the wheel end assembly; a spring member connected to the lower control arm and the side plate; a damper connected to the control arm and the side plate; and a shield fixed to the lower control arm and configured to at least partially protect the vehicle from an explosive blast originating below the vehicle, wherein the shield comprises: a first surface area configured to receive at least a portion of the blast such that energy of the blast is directed to the lower control arm, absorbed by the spring, and dissipated by the damper; a second surface area configured to direct at least a portion of the blast away from the vehicle in a direction transverse to the vehicle; wherein the first surface area and the second surface area are substantially planar and separated by a fold in the shield.