Abstract: A motor vehicle body assembly includes a composite structural component having a connection flange, and a metallic body component or functional group having a connection flange. The connection flange of the composite structural component and the connection flange of the metallic body component or functional group bear on one another and extend substantially across a preferred connection flange direction. The composite structural component has at least one carbon fiber-plastics composite tier having a thermal expansion behavior that in the fiber direction is almost temperature-neutral, and at least one fiber-plastics composite tier having a thermal expansion behavior similar to that of metal. The carbon fibers of the carbon fiber-plastics composite tier in relation to the preferred connection flange direction enclose an angle a=30 to 60°, and the fibers of the fiber-plastics composite tier in relation to the preferred connection flange direction enclose an angle b=0 to 30°.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for attachment to a vehicle, comprising: a beam, wherein the beam comprises a curved portion contiguous with and oriented between a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the curved portion comprises a front side and a back side; a first crash can extending from the first end portion of the beam, the first crash can including cavity formed by sides extending from a first attachment face, with a first protrusion projecting forward from the attachment face toward the front side of the beam, and the first crash can extending behind the back side of the beam at the first end portion; wherein the first protrusion extend from the first attachment face by an amount that is greater than or equal to 110% of a distance that the first sides extend from the first attachment face.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a bumper and a plurality of self-tapping fasteners. The body defines mounting orifices. The bumper has an exterior shell that includes an interior wall. The interior wall has receiving portions that protrude inward relative to the shell such that the receiving portions are thicker than adjacent portions of the interior wall. Each of the plurality of self-tapping fasteners extend through one of the orifices and into one of the receiving portions to secure the bumper to the body.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body, a bumper cover, and a fastening device for attaching the bumper cover to the vehicle body. The fastening device has a triangular shape and includes a restraining member, a fastener configured to secure the restraining member to the vehicle body, and a pivot member articulated to the restraining member for swinging about a pivot. The pivot member has a pivot-distal end which is supported on the restraining member via a support member which is angled in relation to the pivot member. The support member is configured to undergo a deformation, when a force is applied upon the bumper cover in a vehicle longitudinal direction and transferred onto the fastening device, thereby causing the pivot member to swing about the pivot against the restraining member.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a main panel extending in a first direction; a plurality of lobes extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction; and a plurality of ridges extending in the second direction. Each ridge extends around a subset of the lobes. Each lobe may be encircled by one of the ridges. The cover may include a plurality of depressions connecting the ridges to the corresponding lobes.

Abstract: A structure to absorb, dissipate and measure a force includes a plurality of distinct layers. The layers include a first impact absorbing material having an outer face facing the direction of expected impact and an opposite inner face, an impact dissipating layer adjacent to the inner face of the first impact absorbing material and having a higher flexural rigidity than the first impact absorbing material, a second impact absorbing material having an outer face adjacent to the impact dissipating layer and an opposite inner face, and having a lower hardness than the impact dissipating layer, and a pressure sensor arranged across the inner face of the second impact absorbing material. An impact on the outer face is partially absorbed by that material, dissipated by the impact dissipating layer and further absorbed by the second impact absorbing material, with the remaining transmitted force being sensed by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A tubular back beam assembly may include a plurality of main members, each of which is formed by cold rolling and hot stamping and the plurality of main members may be coupled to form a vertically stacked structure with flat portions coupled in a surface contact fashion, or the tubular back beam assembly may include a main member and at least one support member that are directly coupled to form a vertically stacked structure.

Abstract: A crush assembly for a vehicle is provided. The crush assembly includes a fiber-reinforced composite crush member and a cap assembly. The cap assembly is disposed on a terminal end of the crush member. The cap assembly includes an outer cap and an inner cap. The outer cap has a first base, a first side wall extending from the first base, and an interior portion formed by the first base and the first side wall. The inner cap includes a second base and a second side wall extending from the second base. The inner cap is nested at least partially within the interior portion.

Abstract: A bumper beam for a vehicle has a hat beam profile, i.e. a generally U-shaped cross-section with the crown (12-16) pointing outwards. In each attachment region (20) it has a transverse bulkhead (25) fastened between the crown's sides (12, 13) and running generally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A front end structure is disclosed for a vehicle to enhance vehicle compatibility performance. The front end structure includes a bumper disposed behind a front fascia panel. Crush cans are attached between the bumper and a frame rail. A shield is attached to the bumper that extends above the bumper and below the bumper to spread deformation caused by the crush cans and bumper of a deformable barrier in a collision to areas above and below the bumper.

Abstract: An impact absorbing portion and a bumper reinforcement are formed in one piece, so an intermediate member for connecting the impact absorbing portion to the bumper reinforcement is no longer necessary. Therefore, the generation of stress concentration is able to be inhibited. As a result, load transmission efficiency with which a load is transmitted from the bumper reinforcement to the impact absorbing portion is able to be improved.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure a front side member, a body attachment structure fixed to the front side member and an off-center impact structure. The off-center impact structure has a linearly shaped first elongated member defining a first end portion, a mid-section portion and a second end portion. The first end portion extends through a first outboard opening into a hollow interior of the front side member and is rigidly connected to the front side member forward of the body attachment structure. The mid-section portion is connected to an outboard wall of the front side member. The second end portion extends in an outboard direction away from the outboard wall such that in response to an impact event during an off-center impact test the mid-section of the first elongated member deforms with the second end portion moving rearward into contact with the body attachment structure.

Abstract: A guard assembly for an exterior of a vehicle. The assembly includes an outer section, an intermediate section, and an inner section telescopically engaged with each other. The intermediate and inner sections can be slidably extended from the outer section so that the length of the assembly can be customized for each particularly vehicle. The sections are engaged by a rail and complementary slot mechanism, which allows for the sections to be moved longitudinally with respect to each other. Each section includes a magnet positioned on their lower surfaces. The magnet allows the assembly to be removably secured to the exterior surface of the door of a vehicle. The sections are additionally configured so that their lower surfaces are coplanar with each other when the sections are extended, allowing the assembly to rests flush against the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bumper system for a motor vehicle with at least one crashbox, which is arranged by means of a bracket on a bumper cross member, wherein the bracket is provided with a first bracket plate and a second bracket plate, while the first bracket plate bears at least partly against a first limiting element and the second bracket plate against a second limiting element of the bumper cross member, wherein the bumper cross member is taken up in the bracket such that the first bracket plate and/or the second bracket plate extends in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis over at least ¾ preferably over 9/10 of the bumper cross member in the direction of a bumper cross member front wall, especially preferably entirely up to the bumper cross member front wall.

Abstract: A vehicle hood assembly includes an outer hood panel and an inner hood panel coupled to and positioned below the outer hood panel in a vehicle vertical direction. A hood reinforcement strap is coupled to at least one of the outer hood panel and the inner hood panel. The hood reinforcement strap includes a strap base and lobe structures spaced-apart along a length of the strap base that extend outward from the strap base in the vehicle vertical direction.

Abstract: An impact energy absorption structure for a vehicle has a structure in which an impact absorption member is disposed between an outer panel and inner panel. The impact absorption member is formed of ribs in a grid pattern. Specifically, first ribs each having a major surface facing in a front-rear direction are disposed approximately at regular intervals in the front-rear direction. In addition, second ribs each having a major surface facing in a vertical direction are disposed approximately at regular intervals in the vertical direction. The first ribs disposed at ends in the front-rear direction are closer to the outer panel than the first ribs disposed at a middle portion in the front-rear direction.

Abstract: A bumper reinforcement beam includes sheets pre-formed to have integral features and to have a final beam shape with non-radiused corners and optimal impact properties, including beams with constant or varied cross-sectional shapes, and beams made of steel, aluminum, or hybrid materials or combinations of material, all of which allow minimization of weight. The non-radiused corners offer excellent impact strength and properties. Beam impact properties can be improved or locally tuned for particular functional requirements by material selection, or by adding an internal reinforcement on an inside center of the front wall, or by localized annealing of the welds to minimize stress risers, or by localized features and shapes. The sheets can be welded using welding processes that provide low heat-affected-zones around the weld or by localized annealing, thus minimizing any adverse effect of welding.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system includes a carrier having a wall extending along a longitudinal axis. The energy absorber has a first leg and a second leg extending in a first direction away from the wall. A plurality of fins are fixed to and extend from the wall in the first direction, at approximately 60 to 65 degrees relative to the wall.

Abstract: An automobile bumper is provided in which the bumper beam includes a middle curved part that curves concavely rearwards and a pair of left and right curved parts that curve convexly rearwards, and the left and right curved parts includes a rear side frame connecting part and a load input part projecting rearwards the most among the bumper beam parts. Since the bumper beam includes a compression-resistant reinforcing part provided along the inner face in the fore-and-aft direction of the load input part, and an extension line of the compression-resistant reinforcing part is directed toward the vicinity of the load input point of the load input part, supporting the compressive load by the compression-resistant reinforcing part to thus prevent the bumper beam from being destroyed enables the strength toward bending deformation to be enhanced without reinforcement by increasing the plate thickness of the bumper beam.

Abstract: A foreign object obstruction device for preventing foreign objects from entering into the vent of a vehicle without completely obstructing the air passage of the vent is provided. The foreign object obstruction device extends between the a rear vehicle bumper and the vehicle body, and includes a rigid panel mounted to the vehicle body, generally beneath the vent so as to present a generally horizontal planar surface. The foreign object obstruction device may also include a stand-off structure extending from the rigid panel to the vehicle body so as to maintain the foreign obstruction device a predetermined distance from the vent, and a resilient pad disposed between the stand-off structure and the vehicle body so as to help absorb the force caused by objects being hurled into the device; and between the rigid panel and the bumper so as to form a seal.

Abstract: There is provided a bumper absorber attachment structure including (1) bumper reinforcement, (2) a first engaged portion that is formed at a vehicle upper side of a side face at a vehicle front side of the bumper reinforcement, (3) a second engaged portion that is formed at a vehicle lower side of the side face at the vehicle front side of the bumper reinforcement, (4) a bumper absorber that includes a thinned portion, an upper leg, and a lower leg, (5) a first engagement portion that is formed at a vehicle rear side of the upper leg, and that engages with the first engaged portion, and (6) a second engagement portion that is formed at a vehicle rear side of the lower leg, and that engages with the second engaged portion in a case in which the bumper absorber is displaced toward the vehicle lower side in a collision.

Abstract: Various hybrid structures and methods of making the hybrid structures are provided. In one embodiment, a hybrid structure includes a backbone member of a first material composition and a secondary member of a second material composition different than the backbone member. The backbone member includes at least one closed portion along the length of the backbone member having a cross-section which varies along the length of the backbone, and the secondary member is disposed about at least a portion of the backbone member. In another embodiment, the secondary member extends about a portion of the external surface of the backbone member, through an opening of the backbone member and to the interior of the backbone member to interlock with the backbone member.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced blow molded assembly includes an overmold body bonded to one or more preformed internal stiffening ribs. The reinforcing r ribs are partially encapsulated by o the overmold body in an orientation selected to carry load a forces thereon. The resin mixture used to form the overmold body comprises 10% to 40% by weight short glass having a length less about 15 cm, and 60% to 90% by weight thermoplastic resin. To facilitate recycling the reinforcing ribs comprise 30 to 60% by weight long glass fibers and 40% to 70% of thermoplastic bonding resin.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bumper assembly includes a reinforcement beam that extends in a vehicle lateral direction, the reinforcement beam including a front face that extends in the vehicle lateral direction and a rear face that is positioned rearward of and spaced apart from the front face in a vehicle longitudinal direction that is transverse to the vehicle lateral direction, and a front spacer member coupled to an outboard end of the front face of the reinforcement beam, the front spacer member including an end plate that extends between the front face and the rear face of the reinforcement beam and is positioned at least partially within the reinforcement beam.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bumper assembly for a passenger car having a bumper cover for covering a flexible cross-member and at least one stiffening element for stiffing the bumper cover at least below the flexible cross-member. At least one sensor is coupled to the stiffening element to detect deformation of the stiffening element resulting from a collision of the passenger car with a pedestrian.

Abstract: A bumper back-beam for a vehicle is provided. The bumper back beam includes a glass fiber mat reinforced plastic composite and a carbon fiber reinforced plastic composite disposed within the glass fiber reinforced plastic composite. The glass fiber mat reinforced plastic composite includes polypropylene at about 45 to 60 wt. %, glass fiber at about 35 to 45 wt. %, a crosslink agent at about 0.1 to 10 wt. %, peroxide at 0.1 to 4 wt. %, and an antioxidant at about 0.1 to 4 wt. %. The carbon fiber reinforced plastic composite includes a thermoplastic resin at about 40 to 60 wt. % and a carbon reinforced fiber at about 40 to 60 wt. % arranged in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A bumper cross member for a motor vehicle includes an insert of fiber-reinforced composite material and reinforcing structures molded onto the insert. A first groove is formed onto the insert, and the reinforcing structures include ribs formed in the first groove. The ribs extend inclined in relation to a longitudinal direction of the groove from one lateral wall of the groove to the other. The insert is further formed into a second groove, which are open toward opposing sides of the insert. The first and second grooves share a lateral wall. An outer bumper skin is supported by the bumper cross member.

Abstract: A front bumper beam and crush can (FBCC) system is provided for a vehicle. A bumper beam has an interior surface with a plurality of ribs extending therefrom. The ribs and the interior surface are made of a chopped fiber composite and cooperate to engage a crush can. The chopped fiber composite reinforces the engaging surfaces of the crush can and the interior surface of the bumper beam. The crush can has a tubular body made of a continuous fiber composite. The crush can has outwardly-extending flanges at an end spaced away from the bumper beam. The flanges are at least partially provided with a layer of chopped fiber composite to reinforce a joint between the outwardly-extending flange and the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A hierarchical sandwich box impact beam for a vehicle that includes spaced apart micro-truss sandwich structures defining an open area therebetween. The impact beam includes an outer facing sandwich structure including an outer facesheet, an inner facesheet and a micro-truss core formed therebetween, and an inner facing sandwich structure including an outer facesheet, an inner facesheet and a micro-truss core formed therebetween. One or more structural connecting sections are coupled to the inner and outer facing sandwich structures so as to define the open area between the structures.

Abstract: Bumper crossbeam (10, 10?), having a plane of symmetry (Y) and globally oriented in a direction (T) perpendicular to the plane of symmetry (Y), comprising two attachment areas (12a, 12b) symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane of symmetry (Y) and distant from each other by a distance D, said beam being designed to absorb the energy dissipated by a shock generated by a force substantially horizontal and oriented in a direction (L) perpendicular to said direction (T), made from a globally tubular body (11) with a monotonically varying nominal cross-section (Sn) over most of its length between said attachment areas (12a, 12b), except in two weakened areas (15a, 15b), which are symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry (Y), which are remote from the said plane of symmetry by a distance of between 0.10*D and 0.40*D, wherein the second moment of area about the axis (Z) perpendicular to the plane (L, T) is lower in the said weakened areas than expected from the nominal cross-section.

Abstract: A bumper stiffener apparatus for a vehicle may include an upper member connected to a radiator grill, a lower member connected to a bumper below the upper member, a support bar connecting the upper member and the lower member, a hinge mechanism connected to the support bar, and a guide bracket fixed to a back beam arranged on a rear of the lower member to be connected to the hinge mechanism and in which a guide passage is formed for guiding an upward movement of the hinge mechanism when the lower member moves rearward.

Abstract: A beam for a vehicle bumper is formed from a continuous web of material as a closed tubular body. The body has top and bottom walls connected by inner and outer walls. A support extends between the inner and outer walls and a reinforcement overlies at least a portion of the outer wall between the support and the bottom wall to provide a double walled structure.

Abstract: An energy absorber assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first deformable energy absorbing component and at least one deformable second energy absorbing component associated with a grille assembly of the motor vehicle. The first energy absorbing component defines at least one receiver for engaging a corresponding portion of the at least one second energy absorbing component whereby the receiver and the mating surface remain engaged on receiving an impact. The first energy absorbing component is carried on a bumper assembly or attached to a fascia assembly of the motor vehicle, and the second energy absorbing component is included in a grille carrier component of the motor vehicle grille assembly.

Abstract: A device and an associated method for identifying a collision in a medical instrument are provided. The device includes a carrier module of the medical instrument, a housing cladding module that is detachably connected to the carrier module at at least one connection site, and at least one switching element arranged on the carrier module at a distance from the connection site. A partial portion of the housing cladding module has a spring-like flexible design in order to be pressed in the direction of the switching element during a collision with an object.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper including a pedestrian collision detection apparatus includes: a chamber member, a pressure detector, a collision determination unit, an absorber, and a bumper cover. The chamber member is disposed in a vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction thereof and is adjacent to an outer side surface of a bumper reinforcement in a vehicle front-rear direction, the bumper reinforcement is disposed in the vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction thereof and inside of the chamber member functions as a pressure chamber. The pressure detector outputs a signal corresponding to a change in pressure of the pressure chamber. The bumper cover is provided on the outside of the chamber member and the absorber in the vehicle front-rear direction and includes a projected portion projected from an opposite wall that faces the chamber member to the chamber member side.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly can comprise: a support structure having a first wall and an outer wall that extend in an x direction from a first end to a second end; an energy absorber that extends across the first wall of the support structure, the energy absorber comprising a plurality of crushable members are configured to crush and absorb energy upon impact, a first crash can; and a second crash can, wherein the first and second crash cans extend from the first and second ends of the support structure. The energy absorbing assembly is an in situ formed single element. A method of making an energy absorbing assembly can comprise: introducing molten thermoplastic material to a mold to in situ form the energy absorbing assembly and removing the energy absorbing assembly from the mold by moving the mold in a y direction.

Abstract: According to a vehicle-body front structure, when a collision load caused at the time of a front end collision is input into a front part of a connecting member fixed to a front end of an apron upper member, a protruding member protruding outwardly in a vehicle width direction from a front part of a side-member main body is able to interfere with the front part of the connecting member from a vehicle rear side. This makes it possible to improve a transmission efficiency of the collision load between the connecting member and the front side member. Besides, the front part of the connecting member is reinforced by a bulk head, thereby making it possible to restrain the front part from being deformed by the collision load.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bumper back beam to be disposed inside a bumper cover, for reducing impact from outside the bumper cover. The bumper back beam includes a body including a synthetic resin, and a fiber composite reinforcing material including a hollow section. The fiber composite reinforcing material is fastened inside the body. The bumper back beam has high reliability, by having excellent ability to absorb impact energy because cracks almost do not occur during collision since it not only provides satisfactory strength and stiffness but also has high elongation with synthetic resin and fiber composite reinforcing materials generating synergies, and especially by having excellent impact resistance since fiber composite reinforcing materials take the shape of a hollow section.

Abstract: A bumper beam assembly system includes a bumper beam and a stay connecting the bumper beam to a vehicle, wherein the stay is replaceably coupled to both sides of the bumper beam to occupy a corner portion of the bumper beam. The bucket structure includes a frame assembly part that is coupled to a frame, a first sidewall disposed on one side of the frame assembly part to constitute the corner portion of the bumper beam, a second sidewall disposed on the other side of the frame, and a bumper beam assembly part extending from the frame assembly part, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall in a flange shape and coupled to the bumper beam.

Abstract: A bumper beam formed of an automobile fiber-reinforced resin member integrally includes a main body part that has a squared U-shaped cross section opening in one direction and that has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls, and a rib that connects the bottom wall and the pair of side walls. The main body part reinforced with continuous fibers and the rib reinforced with a discontinuous fiber are press formed at the same time to prevent the cross section from collapsing by reinforcing the main body part having a squared U-shaped cross section. It is possible to use the discontinuous fiber to reinforce the rib, which is difficult to reinforce with the continuous fibers, while ensuring high strength by reinforcing the main body part with the continuous fibers, and to eliminate the necessity of separately molding and joining the main body part and the rib.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bumper including: the bumper back beam made of a composite material, which has an arch-shaped collision surface, one side surface of which is formed so as to extend in a box shape from the collision surface, and a flange surface of which is formed so as to be bent outward from the side surface and made of the fiber-reinforced composite material, wherein the flange surface is fastened to a stay which is cut into a plurality of units based on a fastening point; and said stay, which is fastened to the bumper back beam, wherein a fastening hole corresponding to the fastening point is formed as an elongate hole.

Abstract: A connecting part for connecting a bumper covering to a vehicle body is provided. The connecting part is fastenable to the vehicle body and serves as holder for the bumper covering. The connecting part includes a bearing portion that is at least partially brought to bear against a counterpart portion of the vehicle body. The connecting part also includes holding means by which, prior to fastening of the connecting part to the vehicle body, the connecting part is brought into a holding position on the vehicle body subject to the bearing portion bearing against the counterpart portion.

Abstract: A vehicle front end assembly includes a radiator assembly, a fascia component overlapping the radiator assembly, and a grill laterally aligned with the radiator assembly. The grill and radiator assembly define an airflow space longitudinally therebetween. The vehicle front end assembly further includes an airbag coupled between the fascia component and the radiator assembly, and the airbag is disposed outside of the airflow space in both deflated and inflated configurations.

Abstract: A force deflecting component (100) for a motor vehicle for protecting an underside of the motor vehicle against an impact of a curb edge, wherein the force-deflecting component (100) is configured to be arranged on a motor vehicle longitudinal member (102) on the underside of the motor vehicle in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle and connected in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle by a support (104) connected to the body of the motor vehicle, wherein the force-deflecting component (100) comprises an impact surface (112) and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle to completely absorb forces acting on the impact surface (112) in the event of a sudden movement of the motor vehicle in the direction of the curb edge caused by a curb departure of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A bumper arrangement includes a bumper cross member, at least one crash box, which extends in a longitudinal direction and of which a front end is fastened to the bumper cross member, at least one support element extending along an outside of the crash box obliquely to the longitudinal direction, and a connection portion (8, 9), which is anchored on the crash box and at least on a with respect to the longitudinal direction middle region of the support element.

Abstract: A bumper system for a vehicle includes a fascia having an integral energy absorber portion configured to dissipate an amount of energy due to an impact upon the fascia. The energy absorber portion includes multiple spaced formations configured to extend rearward and forward when the bumper system is installed on the vehicle. The bumper system may also include an impact beam. The fascia can be secured to the vehicle so that the fascia is positioned immediately adjacent the impact beam. The bumper system can also include a valence that covers the energy absorber portion from view, so that only a remaining display portion of the bumper system is visible from outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A modular bumper arrangement for a vehicle, including a cross-member composed of fiber reinforced plastic, two side parts made of plastic, wherein one side part is arranged or is arrangeable in each case at each of the two ends of the cross-member, and two fastening parts for fastening the bumper arrangement to a body structure of the vehicle, in which one fastening part is fastened or is fastenable to each side part.

Abstract: A hybrid bumper beam for a vehicle includes a beam body formed of a resin group material, and a reinforcement injection molded with the beam body as one unit in a state the reinforcement is inserted in the beam body in a length direction of the beam body and opposing ends of the reinforcement are exposed to an outside of the beam body for fastening to stays, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fascia, a bumper beam, and a sensor including a pressure chamber disposed between and along the fascia and bumper beam. The vehicle further includes a plurality of pusher blocks disposed between and along the fascia and bumper beam. The pusher blocks impinge upon the pressure chamber during fascia impact. Contact areas defined by the pusher blocks decrease toward a center of the pressure chamber and increase toward ends of the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A front vehicle structure includes: a bumper fascia; a radiator panel upper disposed in a vehicle width direction behind the bumper fascia; and an upper energy absorbing (EA) member for pedestrian protection. The upper EA member is provided in the vehicle width direction in a substantially ? shape as a side view between the top of the bumper fascia and the radiator panel upper. A rear of the upper EA member for pedestrian protection is fixed to the radiator panel upper. An upper projection and a lower projection are respectively formed above and below the upper EA member.