Plastic Deformation Or Breakage Of Retarder Element (e.g., Impact Absorber) Patents (Class 188/371)
  • Patent number: 11952041
    Abstract: A cockpit for a vehicle, wherein the cockpit comprises a first module with a support and a second module with a support. The support of the second module is arranged in a first direction behind the support of the first module and higher than the support of the first module, so that the support of the first module slides at least partially under the support of the second module in the first direction in a crash case with a force acting on the first module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcus Schweer, Franz-Josef Schulte, Ali Jamal Eddine
  • Patent number: 11912180
    Abstract: An impact absorption assembly for a seat back is provided having a deformation zone as least partially disposed above a top surface of a seat back structure. The deformation zone deforms plastically upon an impact from a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harald Fischer, Jaroslav Solc, Ulrich Schneider, Raphael Markert, Dorit Bachmann, Sybille Bruns
  • Patent number: 11801801
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle roof and a panel rotatably connected to the vehicle roof. The panel is rotatable away from the vehicle roof from a stowed position to a deployed position. The assembly includes an airbag supported on the panel. The airbag is inflatable from the panel in a vehicle-forward direction when the panel is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque
  • Patent number: 11760491
    Abstract: A leg assembly for a passenger seat for a vehicle such as an aircraft includes a forward leg and an aft leg. The forward leg includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, and the top end of the forward leg includes a forward aperture for receiving a first base frame tube of the passenger seat. The aft leg includes a top end, a bottom end, a forward side, and an aft side, and the top end of the aft leg includes an aft aperture for receiving a second base frame tube of the passenger seat. The forward side at the aft aperture of the aft leg may be a forward-most portion of the aft leg, and the aft leg is indirectly connected to the forward leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventor: Gokul Ramarathnam
  • Patent number: 11760300
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body defining an interior cabin. The interior cabin includes a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment. The vehicle body includes a floor below the interior cabin. An airbag is supported on the floor and is inflatable upwardly from the floor between the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment. A retractor is fixed to the vehicle body above the airbag. A tether extends from the retractor to the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11686363
    Abstract: An energy absorber includes a flexible tensile member having lengthwise sections arranged serially along a length of the flexible tensile member. Lengthwise sections define convolutions. Features are provided for both restricting straightening of the convolutions and automatically reconfiguring, in response predetermined tension in the flexible tensile member, to allow straightening of the convolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Barrier1 Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Michael John Lamore
  • Patent number: 11642554
    Abstract: Locking systems and method of manufacturing the same are provided. A locking system for fall protection includes a braking lever. The braking includes a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a plurality of coils. The shock absorber also includes a plurality of breakaway interfaces coupling the plurality of coils together. Each of the plurality of breakaway interfaces are configured to decouple two of the plurality of coils at a different force. At least one of the breakaway interfaces defines at least one deformable finger defined on one of the plurality of coils of the shock absorber interfacing with another coil of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David Sulc, Vaclav Hruza, Radim Svoboda
  • Patent number: 11623679
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The steering column assembly also includes a lower jacket that the upper jacket is telescopingly coupled to. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorbing strap operatively coupled to the upper jacket and the lower jacket, the energy absorbing strap having a first leg, a second leg and a U-shaped portion connecting the first leg and the second leg. The steering column assembly yet further includes a pin located within a slot defined by the first leg and the second leg of the energy absorbing strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Ronald J. Huntley, Benjamin D. Reichard, Arthur W. Nellett, Carl T. Seamon
  • Patent number: 11577105
    Abstract: A locking system is provided for fall protection. The locking system includes a housing. The housing defines a guide path through which the housing is slideably attached to a guide member. The locking system also includes a braking lever having a braking end. The braking lever is configured to rotate so as to allow the braking end to engage the guide member. The guide path defines at least one bending slot configured to allow the housing to deform in response to a predetermined amount of force being applied by the guide member upon the housing. A housing for a locking system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Marak, Jan Hrouzek, Scott Hugh Bradford, Frank Muessig, Josef Novotny
  • Patent number: 11505254
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a structural member having an inner surface defining an elongated cavity. The structural member includes an outer panel member joined to an inner panel member. A tension web secured in the cavity separates the outer and inner panel members. A reinforcement member is positioned in the cavity of the structural member. The reinforcement member contacts the transverse web and a gap is provided between the reinforcement member and the inner surface of the structural member. The reinforcement member including a base member having a plurality of bumpers extended in a width direction of the reinforcement member. The plurality of bumpers face one of the inner surface and the tension web. An adhesive secured to the reinforcement member is activatable to expand toward the inner surface to define a joint between the reinforcement member and the structural member and to at least partially fill the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eric J. Boettcher, Derik Thomas Voigt
  • Patent number: 11504558
    Abstract: A safety climb attenuation apparatus provides a more robust and visually inspectable apparatus for climbing safety. In an upper bracket, a pivot arm is attached to a base that is disposed upon a structure. The upper bracket includes an attenuation member such as an elastic bushing, mounted on the pivot arm or the base, that resists pivoting of the pivot arm relative to the base when a safety cable attached to the pivot arm causes the pivot arm to pivot. In a lower bracket, a similar attenuation member is attached to a base disposed on the structure, with an anchor bolt connecting the cable to the attenuation member so that the attenuation member resists upward movement of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Crown Castle USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Gaston Turcotte
  • Patent number: 11311757
    Abstract: A post system for use in fall protection includes a connector to connect to a structure and a support in operative connection with a lifeline to maintain the lifeline at a first height above the structure. When a first threshold force is experienced on the lifeline, the support is operable to lower the lifeline to a second height which is lower than the first height. The ratio of a change in effective length of the lifeline resulting from the lowering of the lifeline to a change in height resulting from lowering of the lifeline (or the ?L/?H ratio) is less than 1. The ratio of the change in effective length of the lifeline resulting from the lowering of the lifeline to the change in height resulting from lowering of the lifeline may also be less than 0.5 or less than 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Montgomery, Justin Shane Patton, Preston L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11235658
    Abstract: A stiffness reinforcement structure for a fuel tank of a vehicle is capable of maintaining the stiffness of the fuel tank even with changes in pressure such as positive pressure and negative pressure in the fuel tank. In particular, a stiffness reinforcement column inside a fuel tank made of a plastic material is capable of preventing heat fused portions between the reinforcement column and the upper and lower plates of the fuel tank from being ruptured by allowing the stiffness reinforcement column to have self-reactive impact dispersion movement in case of a vehicle collision accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bu Yeol Ryu, Myeong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11207956
    Abstract: A bodywork part of a motor vehicle includes a main body of plastic material and at least one structural reinforcement fastened at least partially to a first part main body. The piece also includes at least one connecting member of the first part and of a second part of the main body including an end, a portion of which forms a lock loop around a clamping element so as to secure the connecting member, the structural reinforcement and the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Philippe Coudron
  • Patent number: 11130563
    Abstract: A breakaway support configured to selectively release an actuator from a fitting and a method of providing the breakaway support. The breakaway support includes a race positioned between the actuator and the fitting. The second end of the actuator is connected to the fitting via a ball joint is positioned within the race. The ball joint permits the actuator to pivot about the ball joint in a vertical plane between a first position and a second position. The breakaway support includes a first knuckle that causes the actuator to release from the fitting when the actuator moves in a first direction beyond the first position. A portion of the fitting or a second knuckle may cause the actuator to release from the fitting when the actuator moves in a second direction beyond the second position. A portion of the actuator may break to release the actuator from the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Scott Heer, Eric Sean Kamila, Benjamin Joseph Palmer
  • Patent number: 11091198
    Abstract: An energy absorption strap assembly for a steering column includes a first strap. Also included is a second strap, the first and second strap having respective edge regions that are laterally engageable with each to switch the energy absorption strap assembly between a high load condition and a low load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Randy Jones, Jorge Flores
  • Patent number: 11040737
    Abstract: A device for assembling a column tube (30) in an adjustable steering column assembly (20), comprising a spacer portion (70) adapted to provide rotational damping; provide damping during adjustment of the steering column assembly (e.g., telescope adjustment); and assist in centering the column tube when in an unlocked position and assist in resisting lash, The device further comprises a stop bracket portion (50) adapted to limit rotational travel of the column tube when in an unlocked position; and retain the column tube longitudinally within the steering column assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: NSK Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lewis Strong, Victor Corona Martinez, Jun Yamada, Dale E. Estes
  • Patent number: 11014598
    Abstract: A steering column may include an outer casing unit in which an inner casing tube that rotatably mounts a steering shaft is received such that the inner casing tube is displaceable and fixable in an axial direction. An energy absorption device operatively disposed between the casing tube and the casing unit may absorb at least some energy in a crash event where the casing tube is telescopically displaced relative to the casing unit. The energy absorption device may include a deformation strip fastened to but spaced apart from the casing tube, fixed in a radial direction by a spacer on the casing tube, to which deformation strip a deformation slide that is connected to the casing unit is disposed. The deformation slide may encompass and jam outer narrow sides of the deformation strip such that the deformation slide deforms the deformation strip in a crash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thysseukrupp AG
    Inventors: Markus Domig, Gerhard Waibel
  • Patent number: 11014516
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an energy absorber having excellent impact resistance and excellent impact energy absorbability. The energy absorber includes an olefin-based resin composition obtained by mixing an olefin resin, a polyamide resin, and an elastomer having a reactive group that reacts with the polyamide resin, wherein the olefin-based resin composition has a continuous phase containing the olefin resin and a polyamide resin-based dispersed phase dispersed in the continuous phase, and the polyamide resin-based dispersed phase has a structure in which the elastomer is contained in a matrix phase containing the polyamide resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Kito, Goro Takahashi, Toshihiro Suzuki, Yasuyuki Shimizu, Yohei Migaki
  • Patent number: 10974673
    Abstract: A vehicular structure includes: a first member formed in a tubular shape and having protrusions on an outer periphery thereof; and a second member formed in a tubular shape and having a locking wall with a hole in which the first member is inserted. The first member is joined to the second member such that a portion of the first member that is inserted in the hole of the second member is expanded, and the protrusions are in contact with the locking wall of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Hashimura, Ryohei Yukishige, Yasuhiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 10953810
    Abstract: Described are passenger seat assemblies having an impact bracket for a support pin. The support pin may be a component of a monitor assembly. The impact bracket includes a body that defines an aperture and a flex member within the aperture. The flex member defines a support region and a travelling region of the aperture. The flex member retains the support pin in the support region responsive to a load that is less than a minimum impact load, and releases the support pin from the support region into the travelling region responsive to a load that is at least the minimum impact load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Juan Hernandez, Cinthya Caro, Suman Beeram, Ryan King
  • Patent number: 10947681
    Abstract: A protective construction, such as a fence for a race track, may include a device for energy dissipation, e.g., in line with a guy wire. In some examples, the energy dissipation device may have a braking profile and a cutting unit having at least one blade that can be pulled through the braking profile along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Trumer Schutzbauten Ges.m.b.H
    Inventors: Gernot Stelzer, Daniel Jäger
  • Patent number: 10926807
    Abstract: A vehicle front body structure containing an upper longitudinal beam and a upper fender rail for supporting a fender of the vehicle, said upper fender rail extending in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the upper longitudinal beam and having a front end and a rear end spaced apart along the longitudinal direction. The resistance to plastic deformation of the upper fender rail increases from the front end of the upper fender rail to the rear end of the upper fender rail. The yield strength of the material of the rear section is greater than the yield strength of the material of the front section and/or the rear section has a greater wall thickness than the wall thickness of the front section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL
    Inventors: Ivan Viaux, Yves Drouadaine
  • Patent number: 10793180
    Abstract: A method for producing a length-adjustable steering shaft having a hollow shaft in which a toothed shaft is received so as to be axially telescopic. The toothed shaft has a toothing with teeth on an external circumference that extend in the axial direction and which engages in a form-fitting manner in an inner toothing of the hollow shaft. A sliding layer of thermoplastic plastics material is at least in portions attached between the inner toothing and the toothing. In order to enable an improved fastening of the sliding layer to the toothing, prior to attaching the sliding layer, form-fitting elements which for forming a form-fitting connection that is effective in the axial direction are brought to engage with the sliding layer are configured in the region of the toothing of the toothed shaft or the inner toothing of the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Marius Breuer, Janick Durot, Paul Schwarzhans, Joachim Tuertscher, Robert Josef Maerk
  • Patent number: 10710531
    Abstract: A shock absorber system includes a body, a component, and at least one primary attachment that secures the component on the body. A secondary attachment is configured to secure the component to the body upon breakage of the primary attachment. The secondary attachment includes a single-use shock absorber and a cable that is attached to the body and secured through the single-use shock absorber to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yalla Abushawashi, Marwan Elbkaily, Tushar Kamble, Abdelrahim Khal
  • Patent number: 10710529
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a front part of the motor vehicle, includes a bumper crossbeam and a deformation element arranged in front of the bumper crossbeam. The deformation element has a bending section, the end of which is in contact with a surface or which comes into contact with the surface in the event of a collision, in particular a front collision of the motor vehicle. The end of the bending section is designed such that it can move along the surface as a result of the collision, wherein the surface has an engaging device with which the end of the bending section can be, in particular, engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oeztzan Akif, Gerhard Fichtinger, Wilhelm Riedl
  • Patent number: 10703403
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket assembly extending along a steering column axis. Also included is an upper jacket assembly at least partially received within the lower jacket assembly, the upper jacket assembly translatable along the steering column axis relative to the lower jacket assembly. Further included is an energy absorption strap operatively coupled to the upper jacket, the energy absorption strap having an aperture defined therein. Yet further included is a rake bolt extending through the lower jacket and through the aperture of the energy absorption strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler M. Reno, Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy Jones
  • Patent number: 10703234
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat carrier for a vehicle seat having a position displacement device for the vehicle seat, which is secured to at least one transverse seat carrier which is arranged on the base of the vehicle, and having a deformation device which is arranged between the position displacement device and the transverse seat carrier and which absorbs by means of deformation catapult movements of vehicle occupants which occur in the event of a collision. It is proposed that at least one crashbox be provided between the position displacement device and the transverse seat carrier as a deformation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Johannes A. Varcus
  • Patent number: 10661819
    Abstract: A motor-adjustable steering column may include a support unit that is connectable to a vehicle body and holds an adjustment unit. The adjustment unit may include a steering spindle mounted in a casing unit rotatably about a longitudinal axis. The casing unit may include an outer casing tube that receives an inner casing tube in an axially displaceable, telescopic fashion. An adjustment drive may be connected to the inner and outer casing tubes. The inner casing tube can be retracted and deployed axially relative to the outer casing tube. An intermediate casing tube may be disposed coaxially between the inner and outer casing tubes so as to be axially displaceable in telescopic fashion relative to the inner and outer casing tubes. The intermediate casing tube can be axially retracted and deployed relative to the inner and outer casing tubes by the adjustment drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Thomas Heitz, Daniel Kreutz, Francisco Sinis Jáuregui
  • Patent number: 10625695
    Abstract: The present invention provides buckling inducing-type vehicle crash boxes. The buckling inducing-type vehicle crash boxes are arranged at both ends of a back beam and comprise: a box body part; and a reinforcing part, which is formed in a lattice shape, is formed to integrally protrude from the outer surface of the box body part, induce buckling along the longitudinal direction of the box body part by an external impact, and absorb energy generated by to the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: LG Hausys, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jin Choi, Dong-Won Kim, Yong-Han Kang, Hee-June Kim, Kang-Hyun Song, Sang-Gyu Cho, Kye-Woong Byun
  • Patent number: 10562389
    Abstract: An inlet-air management device for a motor vehicle may include a flexible duct for guiding the air entering via a motor vehicle grille and a shutter device fixed in the flexible duct. Additionally, an inlet-air management device is configured to be fixed in a motor vehicle via the flexible duct. Further, the shutter device is then being suspended in the motor vehicle via the flexible duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventor: Frédéric Vacca
  • Patent number: 10507862
    Abstract: A steering device includes a column pipe, an outer column A, a fixed bracket, a stopper bracket, and a tightening tool. The stopper bracket has a first suspended plate-like portion and a second suspended plate-like portion. A telescopic long hole and an impact absorbing long hole into which a bolt shaft can be inserted from the front side toward the rear side are formed in each of the first and second suspended plate-like portions. A first collapse portion that is bent by colliding with the bolt shaft is provided between the telescopic long hole and the impact absorbing long hole of either the first suspended plate-like portion or the second suspended plate-like portion. A second collapse portion is provided as an inclined side on either the top sides or the bottom sides of the impact absorbing long holes of the first and second suspended plate-like portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Abe, Takuya Aiba
  • Patent number: 10479396
    Abstract: A second toothed member is configured to change its position between a meshing position where first teeth mesh with second teeth and a meshing releasing position where the first teeth do not mesh with the second teeth. A first toothed member and a facing member move together with an upper jacket. The second toothed member located at the meshing position receives an impact from the first toothed member so as to collide against an impact absorbing member after rupture of a guide shaft and deform the impact absorbing member. The second toothed member located at the meshing releasing position receives an impact from the facing member so as to cause rupture of the guide shaft and deformation of the impact absorbing member to occur concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rika Kagawa, Kiyoto Takei, Akihiro Takami, Tomoki Arai, Hideyoshi Hanai, Tsuyoshi Kojima, Hiroshi Obata
  • Patent number: 10471981
    Abstract: A buckling control assembly for a steering column energy absorption strap assembly is provided. The buckling control assembly includes an inner energy absorption strap operatively coupled to a steering column jacket. Also included is an outer energy absorption strap surrounding at least a portion of the inner energy absorption strap and operatively coupled to the steering column jacket. Further included is a strap constraining structure disposed on a constraint side of the outer energy absorption strap to inhibit buckling of the outer energy absorption strap in a first direction, the outer energy absorption strap having a free side unconstrained to accommodate buckling of the outer energy absorption strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Benjamin D. Reichard, Matthew J-T Vincent, Robert Dubay
  • Patent number: 10364017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to structural component for an aircraft. The structural component comprises a body with a first surface and a lug that extends out of the first surface. The body and lug comprise a composite material and are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Steven Evans
  • Patent number: 10336373
    Abstract: A lateral energy absorption system includes a first carbon structure. The first carbon structure includes a first plurality of carbon tubes. The first plurality of carbon tubes have a first end with a first width and a second end with a second width. The first plurality of carbon tubes define a first taper between the second end and the first end that facilitates crumpling of the first plurality of carbon tubes during an impact. A first plurality of carbon flanges connects the carbon tubes together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Peter Tutzer
  • Patent number: 10315683
    Abstract: One steering column assembly includes an outer jacket having a first end, a cavity defined by an inner surface extending from the first end, and protrusions extending from the inner surface into the cavity. Each protrusion includes a front end at or adjacent the first end, a rear end, and a curved contact surface telescopically supporting an inner jacket. The front end has first and second endpoints, the rear end has third and fourth endpoints, and one side connects the first and third endpoints while another side connects the second and fourth endpoints. Each protrusion is configured such that, when the front and rear ends and the sides are projected onto a flat surface and an angle is measured between one straight line passing through the first and third endpoints and another straight line passing through the second and fourth endpoints, the measurement is from one to fifteen degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Sascha Fricke
  • Patent number: 10279834
    Abstract: A rake adjustment mechanism of a steering column assembly includes a lower jacket defining a first tapered slot and a second tapered slot, the first and second tapered slots disposed on opposing sides of the lower jacket. Also included is a rake bracket coupled to the lower jacket. Further included is a first rake guide and a second rake guide, each rake guide a single, integrally formed component and disposed between the lower jacket and rake bracket, the first rake guide disposed at least partially within the first tapered slot and the second rake guide disposed at least partially within the second tapered slot, each rake guide translatable within the tapered slot in an axial direction of the lower jacket. Yet further included is a rake bolt extending through the lower jacket, the rake bracket and the first and second rake guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Nicholas M. Messing
  • Patent number: 10239551
    Abstract: A steering wheel device that can absorb an applied impact load. A steering wheel device includes a lower cover that covers a steering column side of the steering wheel. The lower cover includes: a bottom member facing the steering column; an open portion which at a center of the bottom member and through which a steering shaft passes; slit portions formed on both sides, the slit portions being bent and curved in predetermined shapes; buffer portions formed in the bottom member and outlined by the slit portions, the buffer portions having a free end formed on a vehicle front side and a stationary end formed on a vehicle rear side; and bridge members that can be broken and bridge each of slit portions on the free end side of each of the buffer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Kumagawa
  • Patent number: 10214243
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes two frame rails fixed relative to each other and each having a tubular shape defining an exterior surface and an interior surface, a crush-initiating notch on each exterior surface, and a reinforcement extending along each interior surface and positioned in a vehicle-rearward direction from the notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, Tushar B. Kamble, Gururaj Aralikatti, Greg Gombert, Benjamin Mansfield
  • Patent number: 10099638
    Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a beam and a plurality of members attached to and positioned sequentially along the beam. Each member includes an outer tube extending transverse to the beam and an inner tube extending parallel to and in the outer tube. Adjacent ones of the members are configured to contact each other when both adjacent ones of the members are deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Jamel E. Belwafa, Saeed David Barbat, Rahul Arora
  • Patent number: 10081391
    Abstract: A vehicle structural beam includes four inner walls, four outer walls, and a plurality of ribs. The four outer walls and the four inner walls respectively form outer and inner rectangular tubes. The inner tube is disposed within the outer tube such that the outer walls are non-parallel with the inner walls. Each of the plurality of ribs are disposed between the outer and inner walls. The plurality of ribs is arranged to define a plurality of triangular and/or quadrilateral cells between the outer and inner tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tau Tyan
  • Patent number: 10077077
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes side rails, rail tips, and a tension member. The side rails extend longitudinally in a front portion of the vehicle on left and right sides of a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rail tips have a plurality of flat walls that define a hollow polygonal body disposed about a tip axis. The rail tips have proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is fixedly coupled to a forward terminal end of the side rail inboard of an outer quarter of a total vehicle width. The rail tip extends outboard and forward such that the distal end is disposed within the outer quarter. The flat walls have a forward wall thickness that is less than a rearward wall thickness. The tension member is fixedly coupled to the distal ends and spans laterally therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: James V Legray, Bryan G Mrozinski, Adrian J Purvis, Scott E Zilincik
  • Patent number: 10059374
    Abstract: An impact absorption unit provided between an inside member and an outside member that form a vehicle body and configured to absorb an impact may include: a first absorption body which includes composite material and protrudes from an inside surface of the inside member toward the outer member, with an open receiving space formed in the first absorption body; and a second absorption body which includes composite material and protrudes from an inside surface of the outside member toward the inside member such that the second absorption body is inserted into the open receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Don Pyun, Chang Dong Kim, Min Soo Kim, Hoon Chang
  • Patent number: 10035525
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing device, in particular for a rail-car, extends along an axis and has an attachment member, which can be connected to a fixed structure, an impact member, designed to withstand an impact, and an energy-absorbing member, constituted by a first tube and a second tube, which are coaxial and are made of composite material in order to collapse and hence absorb energy in the event of impact; the first tube is fixed to the attachment member, whereas the second tube is fixed to the impact member and is axially slidable, during impact, guided by the first tube; the radial thickness of the two tubes decreases along the axis, towards their free ends; in a non-collapsed resting condition, the axial gaps present between the two free ends and the attachment and impact members are substantially the same so that the two tubes start to collapse simultaneously in the event of impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI RAIL ITALY S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Lenzi, Angelo Surini, Samuele Pacini
  • Patent number: 9969421
    Abstract: An energy absorption device for a steering column for a motor vehicle may include a bending bracket for energy absorption in a crash event. The bending bracket may comprise a first fastening element and a second fastening element, with the first fastening element being displaceable relative to the second fastening element if, in a crash event, the bending bracket is deformed along a guide track delimited by a start and an end. The energy absorption device may further include one or more collision elements arranged on the guide track. An example collision element may interact with the first fastening element or an element on a retaining part that is secured to the first fastening element such that the collision element, the first fastening element, and/or the element on the retaining part are deformed and absorb additional energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG
    Inventors: Arne Klepp, Hansjörg Sulser, Felipe Segatto, Sebastian Forte
  • Patent number: 9944322
    Abstract: A subframe for a vehicle includes a subframe structure and a rear end joint. The rear end joint is formed on the subframe structure for attachment to a floor via a bolt. The rear end joint defines a notch, having a collar surrounding the bolt. The rear end joint is configured such that, upon impact, the rear end joint interacts with the bolt to break the collar, split the notch, and detach the subframe structure from the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saied Nusier, David Anthony Wagner, Matthew John Zaluzec
  • Patent number: 9862412
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a steering column assembly is provided. The assembly includes a tubular jacket having a first end and a second end, a steering shaft at least partially disposed within the tubular jacket, and an elastic vibration damper disposed between the steering shaft and the tubular jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 9849913
    Abstract: A vehicle front section structure including: a front side member that includes an inside sidewall portion; a first wall portion that configures part of a power unit support section, and that is joined to the inside sidewall portion by a first join portion; a second wall portion that configures part of the power unit support section, and that is joined to the inside sidewall portion by a second join portion; and a low rigidity portion of the inside sidewall portion that is disposed at another side in a vehicle front-rear direction, and the vehicle lower side, of the first join portion, that is disposed further toward one side in the vehicle front-rear direction than the second join portion, and that has lower rigidity than a portion of the inside sidewall portion further toward the one side in the vehicle front-rear direction than the first join portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Chitoshi Sugano
  • Patent number: RE46861
    Abstract: A crash attenuator for decelerating an impacting vehicle includes a first end that can be releasably secured to a vehicle, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The second end includes an impact member that is movable in the longitudinal direction from a pre-impact position to an impact position. At least a pair of spaced deformable attenuator members extend in a longitudinal direction and have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are staggered downstream from the impact member in the pre-impact position. At least a portion of the deformable attenuator members are bent in a non-outboard direction as the impact member is moved from the pre-impact position to the impact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. LaTurner, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf