Ferrari Invents an Emergency Wheel Detachment System for Safety (5 photos)
Ferrari has patented a technology in the US for programmed front-wheel detachment during oblique frontal collisions. This innovation is aimed at improving the safety of supercars. The document was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 
The development is based on the principle of controlled failure of suspension components, which prevents dangerous deformation of the body frame and the driver and passenger footwells.
In collisions at an angle to an obstacle, the wheel bears the brunt of the impact, shifting rearward and crushing the chassis components into the cabin. Maranello engineers proposed solving this problem by changing the geometry of the front suspension's wishbone and its mounting points.
In the standard design, the control arm is attached to the wheel hub and at two points to the chassis—one at the front and one at the rear relative to the direction of travel. Ferrari opted to use a through-bolt mounting pin for the front silent block, which features specially designed weakening zones.
When the critical load is exceeded during a cornering impact, this pin is programmed to break, releasing the front part of the control arm. To ensure precise operation, the control arm itself is additionally reinforced with a stiffening rib.
This rib prevents the control arm from absorbing deformation energy and effectively redirects the entire impact force directly to the weakened mounting element. At the same time, the wheel does not completely break away and fly toward other road users, as the tie rods and the rear control arm mount remain intact and hold the wheel in its offset position. 
