One-shot Type Patents (Class 293/133)
  • Patent number: 6749218
    Abstract: Externally deployed airbag system for a vehicle including one or more inflatable airbags deployable outside of the vehicle, an anticipatory sensor system for assessing the probable severity of an impact involving the vehicle based on data obtained prior to the impact and initiating inflation of the airbag(s) in the event an impact above a threshold severity is assessed, and an inflator coupled to the anticipatory sensor system and the airbag for inflating the airbag when initiated by the anticipatory sensor system. The airbag may be housed in a module mounted along a side of the vehicle, in a side door of the vehicle (both for side impact protection), at a front of the vehicle (for frontal impact protection) or at a rear of the vehicle (for rear impact protection). Also, the externally deployed airbag can be deployed to cushion a pedestrian's impact against the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Publication number: 20040094977
    Abstract: An unitary bumper unit is adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact and comprises a singularly molded part combining a relatively stiff beam portion for attachment to a vehicle and an impact energy absorber integrally molded together with the beam portion wherein the energy absorber faces in a forward direction for absorbing energy due to an impact with the said energy absorber having a crushable forward projecting members adapted to crush upon impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Shuler, Adam Trappe
  • Patent number: 6733054
    Abstract: A bumper beam reinforcement structure has plurality of pairs or plate insertion holes formed side by side in a longitudinal direction of a bumper beam. These insertion holes are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the bumper stay mounting part. Inverted U-shaped steel plates are inserted into the plurality of plate insertion holes. When an impact occurs, the deformation and the rotation of the bumper stay mounting part of the bumper beam is effectively prevented. In addition, parts such as a headlight, a corresponding panel and the like are preferably hardly damaged. Further, the cost for manufacturing the bumper beam reinforcement structure can be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Ha Kim
  • Patent number: 6712411
    Abstract: A bumper device can reduce a weight of a reinforcement member more than a weight of a conventional reinforcement member while sufficiently absorbing a given impact energy. A size “b” between both side mounting portions where the reinforcement member is mounted on a stay is set greater than a size “a” between both side longitudinal wall portions of a side frame, both outer longitudinal walls of the stay are inclined such that both outer longitudinal walls are opened toward the reinforcement member, and the distance between the inner longitudinal walls is set substantially equal to the distance between the both side longitudinal wall portions of the side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Terutsugu Gotanda, Shinichi Haneda, Kazuo Mori, Kazunari Azuchi, Kiyoichi Kita, Kazunobu Nuno
  • Patent number: 6705653
    Abstract: A shock absorbing member for a vehicle is designed to absorb the impact energy in a plastic deformation manner to absorb the axial compressive load. The shock absorbing member includes a hollow member whose cross-section is roughly constant and whose axis is adapted to extend forward and rearward of the vehicle. A flange is formed on the hollow member roughly along the axis of the hollow member and projects by an amount increasing gradually from one side toward the other side of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Terutsugu Gotanda, Shinichi Haneda, Kazuo Mori, Daichi Kunishi, Kazunobu Nuno, Kazunari Azuchi
  • Publication number: 20040046404
    Abstract: A bumper beam reinforcement structure has plurality of pairs or plate insertion holes formed side by side in a longitudinal direction of a bumper beam. These insertion holes are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the bumper stay mounting part. Inverted U-shaped steel plates are inserted into the plurality of plate insertion holes. When an impact occurs, the deformation and the rotation of the bumper stay mounting part of the bumper beam is effectively prevented. In addition, parts such as a headlight, a corresponding panel and the like are preferably hardly damaged. Further, the cost for manufacturing the bumper beam reinforcement structure can be significantly reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Sang Ha Kim
  • Patent number: 6702345
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle making use of plastic deformation. The absorber is mounted between a bumper and the frame of the vehicle to transform impact energy applied to the bumper into deformation energy. The absorber comprises a straight tube that can be plastically deformed. A straight tube is partially enlarged or partially reduced to form different diameter tube portions. These tube portions are connected by step formed between the edge of each one. Thus, a multi-diameter stepped tube is formed. The tubes located at the both ends of this multi-diameter stepped tube are connected to the bumper and the frame of the vehicle respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: OM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6702346
    Abstract: The bumper beam 11 of a vehicle has a hat profile and it is mounted in two tapered crash boxes 12, 13, which extend into the hat profile with their narrow ends. These narrow ends are fixed to the bottom of the hat profile so that the crash boxes will flatten out the hat profile when they are axially compressed. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for reducing the damages in low-velocity offset crashes that have an effect on only one of the crash boxes since it reduces the risk of damages on other parts than the crash box and the bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: SSAB Hardtech, AB
    Inventor: Lars Wikstrom
  • Patent number: 6698809
    Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for a vehicle including an elongated crash box having ends with circular cross-sections. One end of the crash box is received in a bumper beam and is friction welded to an inside surface of the beam. The other end of the crash box is friction welded to a bracket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes
  • Patent number: 6682128
    Abstract: A composite modular energy absorbing assembly with one or more gamma structures 100 that are interposed with one or more delta structures 200. The gamma structures have a base 12′ and a plurality of recesses 16′ defined therewithin. The recesses 16′ have at least one wall 20′ extending from the associated base 12′. At least some of the recesses 16′ are oriented such that their walls are substantially parallel to a major incident component of an impacting force. The walls 20′ collapse. The delta structures 200 have a lattice 210 of interconnected strands which intersect to define a plurality of cells 220. The plane of at least some of these cells are substantially parallel to the impacting force. The lattice collapses during energy absorption. The composite assembly serves to decelerate an object that impacts thereupon in order to maximize energy absorption over a given distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Oakwood Energy Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Patrick Carroll, III, Joel Matthew Cormier, Donald Scott Smith, Richard Francois Audi
  • Patent number: 6681907
    Abstract: An energy absorbing module 10 including a plurality of cells 12, 112 with each cell 12, 112 including a first step wall 22 and 122 horizontally interconnecting first 16, 116 and second 18, 118 walls and having a greater thickness than the second wall 18, 118 for assuring collapse of the second wall 18, 118 before collapse the first wall 16, 116 in response to a force applied to the second wall 18, 118. Likewise, a second step wall 24 and 124 horizontally interconnects the second wall 18, 118 and a third wall 20, 120 and has a greater thickness than the first step wall 22 and 122 for assuring collapse of the third wall 20, 120 before collapse of the second wall 18, 118 in response to a force applied to the third wall 20, 120.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Tony Le
  • Patent number: 6676709
    Abstract: Improved system for absorbing impacts in motor vehicles consisting in coupling solidly to the vehicle body front beams which are intended to receive the impacts and deformable devices which are secured to the rear part of the body structure and which are intended to absorb strains. The front beams and the rear deformable devices are connected and hinged by a cable which is guided by a pulley provided at the front of the car; the pulley is characterized in that its support shaft is designed with a structure which can be progressively deformed longitudinally by the cable tension upon an impact with the aim to determine an appropriate displacement of the pulley towards the rear part of the vehicle, in accordance with its specific function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Taexpa, S.A.
    Inventor: Ramiro Tarazona de la Asuncion
  • Patent number: 6672438
    Abstract: An automotive crashbox damper member (26) has a sequenced pre-collapse surface (34) providing sequential energy absorbing compression such that at application of longitudinal (28) force, longitudinal compression initially occurs at the pre-collapse surface (34), prior to compression of the remainder (36) of the crashbox damper member (26). In one embodiment, the pre-collapse surface (34) is a mounting surface (7) beveled (40) in roof-like fashion to a frontmost leading edge (38) over the end (32) of the crashbox damper member (26). In another embodiment, the pre-collapse surface (34) is a mounting surface (7) formed as an arched cap (11) in the form of a spherical segment over the end (32) of the crashbox damper member (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Wagon Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Beck
  • Patent number: 6669251
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a beam and an energy absorber. The energy absorber includes a flanged frame for attachment to the beam and a body extending from the frame. The body includes a first transverse wall, a second transverse wall spaced from the first wall and a plurality of tunable crush boxes extending therebetween. The bumper assembly has greater than fifty percent efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Adam K. Trappe
  • Patent number: 6663150
    Abstract: A bumper system includes a tubular beam with flattened end sections, and further includes an energy absorber having a rear recess mateably receiving the tubular beam in a nested relationship, with the recess also including flat mating surfaces engaging the flattened end sections. Mounts engage a rear of the flattened end sections, and fasteners secure the tubular beam and energy absorber to the mounts. In one modified bumper system, corner sections on the energy absorber are shaped to slidingly engage a side surface of the mount and simultaneously an end of the beam upon corner impact of the vehicle. In another modified bumper system, offset ends of the tubular beam fit into a recess in an energy absorber, with its center section being between vehicle mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Netshape Corporation
    Inventor: Darin Evans
  • Patent number: 6659520
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly (10) comprising a hoop-like support (11) having a central aperture (19) surrounded by an upper beam (15) and lower beam (16) connected by outer portions (17 & 18), a resilient shell (12), and an undertray (13). The shell (12) is shaped to the support (11) and its lower portion (41) is backed by foam material (14) mounted on the lower beam (15) and its upper portion (42) is collapsible onto the upper beam (16). The undertray (13) and foam backed lower portion (41) provide spaced supports for the lower leg of a pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Bastien, Mitchell John Haberfield, Stephen Faithfull
  • Publication number: 20030222477
    Abstract: A shock absorber as being of a bumper supporting member and a shock absorber as being of a side member, which retain the sinking motion of a smaller-diameter tube portion into a larger-diameter tube portion even if an impact is applied at a larger angle obliquely of an axial direction, thereby to achieve the absorption of the impact energy by a plastic deformation. A plastically deformable straight tube is partially reduced or partially enlarged to form smaller-diameter tube portion and larger-diameter tube portion, which joins to each other through a step portion. The step portion is formed by joining a folded-back portion of the smaller-diameter tube portion and a folded-back portion of the larger-diameter tube portion, which have circular arc-shaped sections having arcuate angles more than 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: OM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshida, Hiroshi Goto, Koji Shimotsu
  • Patent number: 6655721
    Abstract: A front end for a motor vehicle includes a bumper configuration and is configured to absorb impact energy in the event of an impact by another motor vehicle. The front end has lateral longitudinal members having longitudinal-member heads which are in each case connected to bumper supports. At least one of the lateral longitudinal members is provided with at least one absorbing device for absorbing impact energy outside a longitudinal-member plane. The absorbing device has an active device for indirectly transmitting at least some of the impact energy to a longitudinal side of an associated one of the lateral longitudinal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Hagen
  • Patent number: 6652010
    Abstract: A rear impact guard assembly for trailers for absorbing the energy of a rear impact from another vehicle including a pair of tubular vertical guards having a lower tubular horizontal tube mounted at their lower ends. The upper ends of the vertical guards are attached to a horizontal beam, which in turn is affixed to longitudinally extending side rails. The vertical guards are removably affixed to the horizontal beam and respectively removable affixed to the slide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Great Dane Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas Huddle, Timothy C. Gossett, Raymond D. Fox
  • Patent number: 6648384
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing crush tower for a vehicle bumper system includes a tube made of a continuous contiguous material, such as a heat-treatable steel. The tube has first and second ring sections connected by an interconnecting section. The first ring section is heat-treated to a high material strength, such as about 120 KSI tensile strength, which is substantially higher than the second ring section, which is kept at about 60 KSI tensile strength. The interconnecting section has a frustoconically-shaped portion forming a ramp. By this arrangement, upon the bumper system receiving an end impact parallel a length of the tube, the first and second ring sections telescopingly collapse with a predictable and consistent multi-phase deformation sequence where a third ring section forms between the first and second ring sections. A method related to the above is also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Shape Corporation
    Inventors: Rainer B. Nees, David W. Heatherington, Scott C. Glasgow, Jack Russell
  • Patent number: 6648385
    Abstract: In a vehicle with a bumper which is attached to the vehicle transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via a deformation element, the deformation element exhibits two first side walls that are spaced apart, and are joined to second side walls that are spaced apart. The first and second side walls have first and second grooves that run transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are arranged in pairs opposite each other, each in a common plane. The first grooves extend over the whole breadth of the first side walls and the second grooves extend over only a middle part of the second side walls leaving a region free at both edges. The first grooves are arranged in pairs in first planes and the second grooves are arranged in pairs in second planes situated between two subsequent first planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Alcan Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Frank
  • Patent number: 6648383
    Abstract: A protective structure for vehicles (10), designed to be used, in particular, in the event of impact between a vehicle (10) and a pedestrian (so-called pedestrian impact), in which at least one energy absorption element or buffer (16) is used, positioned, at least partially, parallel to the front cross member (17) of the vehicle (10); it is furthermore possible to modify the external style (L) of the vehicle (10), by bringing the profile of the bonnet (11) forward and/or furthermore providing for the insertion of a new buffer (25), designed to work on the front-end structure of the vehicle (10), positioned below the bumper (12), in order to obtain advantages in terms of safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Adlev S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Vismara, Jean Louis Toneatti
  • Publication number: 20030209915
    Abstract: In order to set up selectively a suitable displacement-load characteristics to absorb an impact energy adapting to the difference of the impact modes, a resistive-portion-comprised shock absorber 100 comprising a smaller-diameter tube portion 102 and a larger-diameter tube portion 103 which are integrally formed by partially reducing or partially enlarging a straight tube that can be plastically deformable, a step portion formed continuously between edge of the each smaller-diameter tube portion and the larger-diameter tube portion by being folded the edge back to the each tube portions, wherein a frictional resistive portion is provided to the smaller-diameter tube portion slidingly inserted into the larger-diameter tube portion, and, a resistive-member-mounted shock absorber 200 comprising a smaller-diameter tube portion 204 and a larger-diameter tube portion 202 which are described above, a step portion 207 which is described above, wherein a frictional member is mounted in an interior of the larger-diamet
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: OM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6626474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for absorbing impacts, particularly between a mobile machine (1) and an obstacle (2) or between two mobile machines, and comprises an energy absorbing structure (3), which is deployable by means of actuators (4), which are set into action by a way of control. The device is characterized in that the deployable structure (3) comprises at least one compressible beam (6) which, when the structure (3) is in deployed position, absorb energy generated by an impact, produced according to a specific direction (D) by way of the permanent axial compression thereof, the compressible beams (6) being connected to one another and/or to rigid guide elements (7) by joints (8, 9, 11) which allow for the rotational and/or translational movement of the beams (6) during deployment of the structure (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Dytesys
    Inventor: Gabsi Ameur
  • Publication number: 20030178861
    Abstract: The bumper beam 11 of a vehicle has a hat profile and it is mounted in two tapered crash boxes 12, 13, which extend into the hat profile with their narrow ends. These narrow ends are fixed to the bottom of the hat profile so that the crash boxes will flatten out the hat profile when they are axially compressed. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for reducing the damages in low-velocity offset crashes that have an effect on only one of the crash boxes since it reduces the risk of damages on other parts than the crash box and the bumper beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Lars Wikstrom
  • Patent number: 6601886
    Abstract: An energy absorbing composite tube for both mounting an impact member to a structure and absorbing impact energy. The composite tube includes a mounting portion that is inserted into a sleeve within the structure. A main tubular body portion is provided that is integral with the mounting portion. The main tubular body portion has a larger diameter than the mounting portion to provide an impact shoulder. A delamination wedge is forced against the shoulder during an impact to cause delamination of the main tubular body portion. The delamination process absorbs energy from the impact. The mounting portion slides within the mounting sleeve during the impact so that it remains intact and provides a structural connection between the main tubular body portion and the impact member. The energy absorbing composite tube may be used to replace bumper mounting systems which utilize metallic tubes as part of the bumper mounting/energy absorption system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher M. Thayer
  • Publication number: 20030141729
    Abstract: 1. Bumper support, bumper and motor vehicle with bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Steffen Burkhardt, Dietmar Preissler, Anton Sautner
  • Publication number: 20030141728
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing bumper with a structural part of foam material or the like which is arranged underneath an outer skin or shell, supports the outer skin or shell in a flexible manner and is arranged between a collision contact zone of the outer skin or shell and a rear side of the bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Eduardo Arvelo, Gary Brown, Thomas Frank, Klaus Rathje, Maya Ziegs
  • Patent number: 6595502
    Abstract: An energy absorbing element, that may be used with, for example, vehicles such as automobiles and trucks, is described. The energy absorbing element (2, 2′) comprises, (a) at least two oppositely arranged metal sheets (7, 8) having a multiplicity of predetermined buckling points (11, 12 and 13) which enable each sheet (7, 8) to fold up along its longitudinal direction (x-direction); and (b) a plurality of connecting ribs (9) which interconnect the oppositely arranged metal sheets (7, 8), the connecting ribs (9) being fabricated from a plastic material selected from thermoplastic materials and/or thermosetting plastic materials. Also described is a bumper system which comprises a transverse beam and at least one of the energy absorbing elements of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Boris Koch, Roland Brambrink
  • Patent number: 6581992
    Abstract: A tuck mounted attenuator (TMA) is constructed to minimize length during use in a horizontal position and height in a vertical transport position, as well as to minimize wind resistance and buffeting at highway speeds. A modular construction is employed, so that only damaged portions of the TMA can be removed and replaced in the field after a vehicle impact The TMA comprises a plurality of outwardly curved tubular structural members which are designed to buckle upon application to the TMA of forces resulting from vehicular impact. The rigid tubes buckle at a high initial force, then proceed to crush at a lower force once the sides have buckled outwardly sufficiently to protect vehicle occupants during the critical first two feet of travel after impact. This design also provides increased protection for errant vehicles which impact the TMA device from an angle (i.e. “coffin corner” impact).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Traffix Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Gertz
  • Patent number: 6578904
    Abstract: A motor vehicle structure including at least two upper side-members arranged at the level of the bumper, at least two lower side-members connected to the upper side-members by two linking supports, and a cross-member linking the two lower side-members at their front end. The front ends of the lower side-members are substantially in line with the front ends of the upper side-members and the two linking supports are arranged substantially between the front ends of the upper and lower side-members. The rear end of the lower side-members is designed to be supported on a stop portion of a structural element in a case of a head-on impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Renault
    Inventors: Marc Yvetot, Emmanuel Boudard
  • Publication number: 20030085579
    Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, John W. Cobes, Thomas J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6554333
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly characterized by high connection strength with reliable impact absorption, wherein a support bracket is in the form of multi-step structure, a small tube portion of one end of the support bracket is provided with a bumper connection member connected to a bumper and a large tube portion of the other end of the support bracket is provided with a vehicle body connection member attachable to and detachable from a vehicle body member, the bumper connection member is installed to one end or one end portion of the bumper, a connection hole is provided on the bumper connection member for inserting the small tube portion, and the bumper and the support bracket is connected by inserting the small tube portion into the connection hole and by welding the side surface of the small tube portion at a cylindrical wall of the peripheral edge of the connection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: OM Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Shimotsu, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20030075935
    Abstract: An impact damper as a connecting member between a bumper and a chassis of a motor vehicle for the purpose of damping the shock loading during a collision between this motor vehicle and an obstacle, predominantly through deformation work in a tube of the impact damper. The tube is connected to the chassis via a bracket and to the bumper via a bumper receptacle, the bumper receptacle. The bracket and the towing lug with the tube are connected to one another by a joining technique before they are connected to one another by a stamping operation. The advantage of the invention lies in low-cost production without compromises in terms of the functioning of the impact damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Boge GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Dohrmann
  • Patent number: 6547295
    Abstract: An impact energy absorption system for vehicles, comprising a cross member (16) housing a series of composite alveolar structures or buffers (10, 10A) which co-operate with an element (14) made of foamed plastic resin; the alveolar structure (10, 10A) is made of plastic resin preferably derived from polycarbonate and can feature a taper at at least one of the longitudinal ends where a containment element (22) can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Adlev S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Vismara
  • Patent number: 6536818
    Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle that includes a frame attached to the motor vehicle, a covering that covers the frame, and at least one set of self contained gas springs that are for attaching to the motor vehicle. The at least one set of self contained gas springs supporting the frame allows transition of acceleration to be smoothed, both upon initial contact of the bumper until its maximum compression, and between maximum compression of the bumper and end-deformation of the motor vehicle, while lowering deformation to the motor vehicle and shock to its passengers and lowering overall compression distance in the bumper to save the motor vehicle from further damage. The at least one set of self contained gas springs raises deceleration of impact during compression of the bumper, but lowers deceleration during deformation of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Nathan S. Moss
  • Patent number: 6523873
    Abstract: An energy absorption system and method comprised of a crush tube, a taper component, and a flare component. The crush tube is inserted into a matching hole in the taper component. As the taper and flare components are moved down over the crush tube, the taper component decreases the diameter of the crush tube and the flare component splits the crush tube in a plurality of petals. The crush tube may include a plurality of initiator slits to aid in the flaring process. When mounted with the longitudinal axis of the crush tube parallel to an axis of an impact, the present invention is capable of absorbing some or all of the crash event by dissipating energy by the tapering, flaring, friction, and other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Todd L. Summe, Jieh-Ren Yeh, Eric M. Stull
  • Publication number: 20030034659
    Abstract: An energy absorption system and method comprised of a crush tube, a taper component, and a flare component. The crush tube is inserted into a matching hole in the taper component. As the taper and flare components are moved down over the crush tube, the taper component decreases the diameter of the crush tube and the flare component splits the crush tube in a plurality of petals. The crush tube may include a plurality of initiator slits to aid in the flaring process. When mounted with the longitudinal axis of the crush tube parallel to an axis of an impact, the present invention is capable of absorbing some or all of the crash event by dissipating energy by the tapering, flaring, friction, and other methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Todd L. Summe, Jieh-Ren Yeh, Eric M. Stull
  • Publication number: 20030020219
    Abstract: An impact damper as a connecting member between a bumper and a chassis of a motor vehicle for the purpose of damping the shock loading during a collision between this motor vehicle and an obstacle, comprising an inner tube which can be displaced telescopically inside an outer tube, thereby changing the volume of pressurized gas spaces. The first gas space and the second gas space have a common pressure, which is dimensioned such that optimum damping is provided for a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian. It is being possible for a deformation element to be displaced as well to absorb high forces through deformation work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Boge GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Konenberg
  • Patent number: 6502874
    Abstract: Load is applied to a bumper reinforce. Two hollow crash boxes are coupled to the bumper reinforce. Each crash box has a substantially constant cross section, an axis and an open end. When load is applied to the bumper reinforce, each crash box is plastically deformed in the axial direction for absorbing the load. The bumper reinforce includes projections. Each projection corresponds to one of the crash boxes and faces part of the open end of the corresponding crash box. The projections reduce the load at the beginning of plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutomo Kajiwara, Yuzo Konishi, Kiyohito Morimoto, Seiji Sakai, Terutsugu Gotanda, Shinichi Haneda, Kazuo Mori, Kazunari Azuchi, Kazunobu Nuno
  • Patent number: 6494510
    Abstract: An impact absorbing mechanism for absorbing an impact load input between receiving portions at a predetermined distance from each other is provided; in the impact absorbing mechanism, a dispersing transferring portion for dispersing and transferring the input impact load in two directions is formed by connecting respective one end sides of two load transferring members, impact absorbing members for absorbing dispersed impact loads in directions along the transferring members and supported by receiving stopping portions are disposed on the other end sides of the respective load transferring members, a connecting portion of the load transferring members is positioned to be closer to load input sides than to the other end sides of the respective load transferring members, and the input impact load is dispersed and absorbed in two directions; thereby, it is possible to obtain an impact absorbing mechanism by which impact energy absorbing performance in a displacement initial stage is enhanced to carry out efficie
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: G P Daikyo Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Okamura, Toshifumi Sakai
  • Patent number: 6485072
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes an energy absorber and a bumper beam connected to the energy absorber and for connection to vehicle structure and having a general B shape. The bumper system also includes a member disposed between the bumper beam and a rail of the motor vehicle to absorb energy during an impact with an object by the bumper system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Paul Werner, Gregory Stanley Frederick, Jeffrey Leonard Bladow, Shui-Fang (Ray) Chou
  • Patent number: 6474709
    Abstract: A device for the absorption of impact energy in motor vehicles is designed with a box profile section of sheet metal construction fixed in use to at least one bodywork component. In the direction of introduction of a force that is to be absorbed, the box profile section is designed with a tapered extension such that, when compressed by the force to be absorbed, the deformed material accumulates substantially inside the cross-section of the remaining deformation length of the box section profile in a manner at least approximating to a concertina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Bernd Artner
  • Publication number: 20020158476
    Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for a vehicle including an elongated crash box having ends with circular cross-sections. One end of the crash box is received in a bumper beam and is friction welded to an inside surface of the beam. The other end of the crash box is friction welded to a bracket assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes
  • Patent number: 6467836
    Abstract: Impact suppression devices having energy absorbing capability. The devices utilize a spline configuration for two separate shafts that are movably joined such that one can move axially inside the other. The shafts themselves can act as a piston, or a piston is used as part of the components. Impact absorption is provided by a gel layer or gel layers that have hydraulic fluid properties when a force is applied to them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Eurion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Miller, Edward J. Morris
  • Publication number: 20020149214
    Abstract: A bumper system for vehicles includes a B-shaped tubular bumper beam with top and bottom mid-walls defining a channel in its front surface. A polymeric energy absorber has multiple box-shaped sections that abut the front surface of the bumper beam and further includes rearwardly-extending nose sections that extend into the channel. The nose sections include collapse-controlling kick walls that lie along the top and bottom mid-walls and that are connected to the box-shaped sections. Upon impact by an object against the bumper system, the kick walls press into the top and bottom mid-walls, resulting in a consistent and controlled collapse of the energy absorber and tubes of the bumper beam. In another form, an energy absorber having box-shaped sections is positioned on a face of the bumper beam and integral box-shaped end sections designed for a consistent and controlled collapse on impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Darin Evans
  • Patent number: 6443513
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device is formed of natural or synthetic resin material or composite material, wherein energy absorption is provided by a plurality of cup-shaped cells having a thin-walled construction with a circular cross section. The absorber is useful for automotive bumper impact and also for other applications, including automotive padding and general cushion applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Concept Analysis Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick M. Glance
  • Patent number: 6443511
    Abstract: Provided in an energy absorber (1) for bumpers (2, 3) of motor vehicles are stiffening elements (5), which have front sides (6) facing away from a rear mounting structure (4). The stiffening elements (5) have in the longitudinal direction a lateral center-to-center distance from one another that corresponds to the standard dimensions of a human leg. Side faces of the stiffening elements (5) which face one another are designed such that, in the event of collision with a leg, the stiffening elements (5) are deformable independently of one another, and in the event of collision with an object larger than a leg, the stiffening elements (5) engage one another at their side faces in a manner hindering deformation with an abrupt increase in the stiffness of the energy absorber (1). By this means, braking with a relatively low deceleration is achieved in a collision with the leg, whereas the energy absorber (1) is adequately stiff in a collision with a larger object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Peguform-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Braun
  • Publication number: 20020113447
    Abstract: In a vehicle with bumper which is attached to the vehicle transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via a deformation element (10) the deformation element (10) exhibits two first side walls (28, 30) that are spaced apart, and are joined to second side walls (40, 42) that are spaced apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Alcan Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Frank
  • Patent number: 6428065
    Abstract: An automobile bumper covered with a bumper face comprises an upper bumper including an upper bumper beam and an upper energy absorbing member interposed between the bumper face and the upper bumper beam, and a lower bumper provided below the upper bumper and including a lower bumper beam and a lower energy absorbing member interposed between the bumper face and the lower bumper beam. The lower energy absorbing member is established to have a larger longitudinal strength than the lower energy absorbing member. As a result, when the bumper contacts a leg of a pedestrian, the upper bumper has a larger deformation than the lower bumper and a bending angle of a knee can be reduced, thereby the damage to a knee can be alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Sato, Tatsuya Morimoto