One-shot Type Patents (Class 293/133)
  • Patent number: 8632108
    Abstract: A crash box for arrangement between a bumper and a longitudinal beam of a motor vehicle body is provided. The crash box is able to be arranged with a fastening profile at least partially overlapping to a mount profile of the longitudinal beam. The crash box has a support element, which penetrates the fastening profile transversely to its profile longitudinal direction (x) and is able to be brought into abutment in a supporting manner with an end section of the mount profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jens Matuschek, Uwe Eckert, Roland Schirmer, Bardo Braunbeck
  • Publication number: 20140015265
    Abstract: A collision energy absorption structure of a vehicle may include a bumper back beam that may be disposed in a traverse direction of the vehicle, a side member that may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the bumper back beam in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a crush box, of which a first side protrudes in a front direction of the bumper back beam and of which a second side may be interposed between the bumper back beam and the side member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byeng Jik AHN
  • Publication number: 20140015266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle bumper assembly (1) having a bumper cross-member (2) and at least two energy-absorption components (3), which are arranged at a distance from one another and which are connected to the rear side of the bumper cross-member (2) and supported thereon by means of a first end. The energy-absorption components have an x-direction absorption effective direction oriented perpendicular to the y-axes longitudinal extension of the bumper. The energy-absorption components (3) are designed to be supported on a chassis part (4) of a vehicle by means of the end of the energy-absorption components pointing away from the bumper cross-member, wherein the energy-absorption component (3) has a slanted end face (5) in the direction toward the bumper cross-member (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Lenkenhoff, Marco Töller
  • Publication number: 20140008925
    Abstract: A shock absorber for motor vehicles, comprising: a deforming body (2) comprising a first portion (3) and a second portion (4) which are fixed to one another such as to identify a tubular member (5) which has a first axis and comprises a first wall (6) and a second wall (7) adjacent to one another, which intersect to identify an edge (8), each portion (3, 4) comprising a half-shell (9) and two fixing tabs (10) arranged respectively at opposite ends of the half-shell (9), at least a portion (3, 4) comprising at least a bead (11, 12) which develops along a perpendicular development with respect to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Pasquale Impero
  • Publication number: 20140008924
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for vehicle may include a first side member disposed in each of both sides of a vehicle body in a longitudinal direction thereof, a second side member coupled to an external surface of the first side member, a fender member having one side coupled to an external side of the second side member, a member flange connected to front ends of the first and second side members respectively, a mounting flange coupled with the member flange, a first crash box having a rear end connected to the mounting flange, a second crash box having a rear end connected to the mounting flange, and a bumper beam having both distal sides, each of which may be coupled to front ends of the first and second crash boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Min Uke Han, Chang Ho Park, Hae Woong Kim, Jun Hyoung Kim, Soo Heung Eom
  • Patent number: 8608231
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle structural frame with an overlap-barrier-impact deformation scheme, the frame has: a rail defining a first longitudinal axis; a first energy absorption device defining a second longitudinal axis outside of the first longitudinal axis with respect to a vehicle; and a connector extending between the rail and the first energy absorption device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andres Gonzalez Mendivil, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Adrian Diaz, Ranny Hamameh, Kirk D. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20130313840
    Abstract: A collision load is appropriately absorbed even in a case that the collision load is intersectionally input from the oblique rear with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction. Plural first to sixth corner portions provided at the rear end of an extension are arranged such as to be located at respective different positions along the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein the first corner portion located at the vehicle transverse inner upper end is located the rearmost, and wherein the first to sixth corner portions and first to sixth edge lines, which form the rear end of the extension, are provided such as to be located at the rear in a spiral form from the first corner portion toward the vehicle front in order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Kashiwagi, Norikazu Matsuura, Hiroyoshi Watanabe, Ryota Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20130307288
    Abstract: A multistage energy absorber device is provided that includes at least two generally tubular members. Each of the generally tubular members has a first end and a second end. The second generally tubular member is independent of the first generally tubular member and fits within the first generally tubular member. The first ends of the generally tubular members are substantially flush with each other, but the second end of the second generally tubular member protrudes sufficiently beyond the second end of the first generally tubular member to form a first deformation stage. The first and second generally tubular members extend coextensively sufficiently from the first ends of the first and second generally tubular members to the second end of the first generally tubular member to form a second deformation stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATION LLC
    Inventors: Amit A. Wavde, Brian D Van Buren, Trevor T. Winch
  • Publication number: 20130300139
    Abstract: In an automobile front portion structure, a dilatant impact absorbing body that is formed from a material having dilatant characteristics is accommodated at an inner side of a crash box and is fixed to a front end surface of a front side member. A length dimension in a vehicle longitudinal direction of this dilatant impact absorbing body is set such that, when an axial compressive deformation amount of the crash box becomes greater than or equal to a set value that is smaller than a maximum value of the axial compressive deformation amount, the dilatant impact absorbing body receives compressive load between the front side member and a front bumper reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Fukawatase
  • Publication number: 20130300138
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a crush can for a vehicle frame including a crush can body having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that is at least approximately a 10-sided polygon. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a crush can for a vehicle frame including a crush can body having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that includes a plurality of outwardly pointing apexes and a plurality of inwardly pointing apexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Gary Banasiak, James R. Byrne, II, Alexander Zak, Seetarama S. Kotagiri
  • Patent number: 8579362
    Abstract: A crash box (10) for a motor vehicle, is made of a polymeric material and has a first open frontal extremity (12) and a second rear extremity (14). The crash box (10) includes a structure (20) substantially alveolar defined by a plurality of channels (30) realized in just one piece, each of which extends internally to the crash box starting form the first open frontal extremity (12) towards the second rear extremity (14). The crash box includes stiffening elements (50) of the second rear extremity, which are able to stiffen the plurality of channels (30) only in proximity of the second rear extremity 14. Preferably the stiffening elements (50) are directly integrated with the second rear extremity (14), in particular internally to the same, and are preferably made of a polymeric material having a good impact strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tres SRL
    Inventor: Francesca Di Modugno
  • Publication number: 20130278016
    Abstract: A segmented tube formed of a magnesium-based alloy and wrapped or jacketed with a reinforcement to apply a restraining force on the external surface of the tube for resisting fragmentation of the tube by the compressive force applied to the end of the tube serves as a structural member for receiving a compressive stress applied to an end of the tube and acting along the axis of the tube toward the opposing end of the tube. The magnesium alloy tube is comparatively light, and the segmented and wrapped or jacketed tube has an increased capacity to absorb compressive forces. The tubes are useful as components of automotive vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hamid G. Kia, Aihua A. Luo, John N. Owens, James F. Quinn
  • Patent number: 8562043
    Abstract: An alignment device for attachment to a mounting support for vehicle front ends, whereby the alignment device is configured to receive a crash box that connects the mounting support to a bumper bracket. The alignment device includes a first abutment element and a second abutment element between which the crash box can be inserted and which are provided upon receiving the crash box to rest on opposite sides of the crash box. At least one abutment element is designed such that when receiving the crash box, it presses the same against the other abutment element, whereby one or more holding devices are provided on at least one of the first or second abutment elements that serve to limit the insertion of the crash box into the alignment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: HBPO GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Raulf, Hartmut Fabiunke, Daniel Földi
  • Patent number: 8550498
    Abstract: An impact-damping structure with crash boxes is provided with an extension of the ends of the chassis members of a vehicle to a transverse impact member. An extension pipe with a towing lug that aligns flush with the chassis member is arranged in a center of one of the crash boxes. The extension pipe is connected with the end of the chassis member via a spreading device of the crash box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stanislaw Klimek
  • Publication number: 20130241219
    Abstract: Provided is a crash box to be installed to a bumper reinforcement including an outer-wall section, an upper-wall section and a lower-wall section, an upper inner-wall section, a lower inner-wall section, and a clearance between the upper inner-wall section and the lower inner-wall section. The crash box includes a body section provided between a member of a vehicle body side and the bumper reinforcement, an upper support section provided to protrude from the body section to a bumper reinforcement side, a lower support section provided to protrude from the body section to the bumper reinforcement side, and an insertion section provided to protrude from the body section to the bumper reinforcement side, inserted from the clearance into the bumper reinforcement and contacting a lower end portion of the upper inner-wall section and an upper end portion of the lower inner-wall section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN KEIKINZOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanobu KANEKO, Kiyoichi KITA, Tamaki OBAYASHI, Kyosuke MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20130241220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle, notably a motor vehicle, chassis frame side rail made up of two section pieces of U-shaped cross section, welded together by longitudinal connecting tabs juxtaposed contiguously and more or less perpendicularly extending the ends of the branches of the U, in which each section piece has, between each of the tabs and the branches of the U that it extends, a joining area that forms two separate longitudinal plastic hinges that deform if the side rail is deformed by longitudinal compression so as to keep the welded joint between the tabs intact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventor: Loic Grall
  • Publication number: 20130241218
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle bumper reinforcement including: an inner-wall section in a long shape along the width direction of a vehicle; an outer-wall section formed in a long shape so as to be arranged to face the inner-wall section; an upper-wall section connecting an upper end side of the inner-wall section and an upper end side of the outer-wall section; and a lower-wall section connecting a lower end side of the inner-wall section and a lower end side of the outer-wall section. The inner-wall section has a first concave section with a bottom, which is formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, the outer-wall section has a second concave section with a bottom, which is formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, and a bottom surface of the first concave section and a bottom surface of the second concave section are arranged to face each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN KEIKINZOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhisa TSUCHIDA, Kyosuke MATSUI, Tamaki OBAYASHI, Takanari YOSHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20130234456
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cross member which is arranged transversely to a travel direction and has two attachment zones for connection to two side rails arranged in parallel relationship to the travel direction. The bumper cross member has a center portion extending between the attachment zones and two end zones to close off the bumper cross member to vehicle sides. A deformation element is arranged behind each of the end zones and constructed to support in the event of a head-on collision with slight overlap the end zone which undergoes a buckling as a result of the head-on collision. At least one belt element at least partly surrounds a circumference of the deformation element and is secured to at least one of the side rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Ulrich Brockhoff, Stefan Grottke, Stefan Schmitz, Holger Diersmann
  • Patent number: 8511745
    Abstract: A crash structure is provided that is integrated within a vehicle side rail, the crash structure providing relatively level loading during a collision. The structure includes an actuator member coupled to the bumper, the actuator member passing into, and slidably disposed within, a hollow housing of the crash structure. The hollow housing contains a plurality of deformable members that at least partially surround a first portion of the actuator member. A second portion of the actuator member, which is between the bumper and the first portion of the actuator member, has a larger diameter than that of the first portion of the actuator member and is configured to deform the deformable members during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20130207408
    Abstract: A crash structure with adjustable rigidity for a deformation element in a vehicle includes an infinitely variably adjustable rigidity. The adjustable rigidity is adjusted by moving two profiles relative to each other such that a position of the two profiles opposite each other is reached. The position defines a degree of rigidity for the deformation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Bernd Goetzelmann
  • Publication number: 20130207407
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crash structure having adjustable rigidity for a deformation element for a vehicle, wherein the crash structure comprises a continuously adjustable rigidity, in that at least one blocking element (SR) moves in a plane rotated by an angle relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis with respect to a profile (MW), so that the rigidity is adjusted by a position of the at least one blocking element reached by the motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Goetzelmann, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 8505990
    Abstract: The present invention provides for various embodiments of a corner energy absorber. In one embodiment the corner energy absorber includes a body portion and an arm portion. The body portion comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and a front wall that extends from the top surface to the bottom surface. The corner energy absorber further includes a crush member extending from the front wall of the body portion between the top surface and the bottom surface of the body portion. In another embodiment, at least one of the body portion and the arm portion comprises an attachment feature. The invention also provides for various embodiments of a bumper system comprising a corner energy absorber connected to a bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric Jon Jaarda, Eric D. Kowal
  • Patent number: 8500178
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bumper structure equipped with an inner plate (42) in a hollow section (41) formed by a bumper beam (15) and a safety plate (16). The safety plate (16) comprises a top plate (35), a bottom plate (36), and a load input plate (37) connecting both. The inner plate (42) comprises a mounted section (46) that is mounted to the bumper beam (15), a leg section (48) that continues from the mounted section (46) and extends downward, a back support section (51) that continues from the leg section (48) and is approximately parallel to the top plate (35), and a load input flange (52) that continues from the back support section (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Manabu Ishizono, Takashi Chirifu, Iwao Imaizumi, Yuji Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20130193699
    Abstract: A polymeric crash box (10) for a motor vehicle having a first open frontal extremity (12) and a second rear extremity (14), further including a substantially alveolar structure (20) having a plurality of channels (30) realized in just one piece which extends internally to the polymeric crash box (10), each channel (30) further being internally tapered towards the second rear extremity (14). The polymeric crash box (10) includes at least a substantially planar polymeric fixing element (52) which is realized in a single piece in proximity of the first frontal open extremity (12) and which further can be fixed to a crossbeam (60). A bumper structure for a vehicle including at least two polymeric crash boxes (10) and having a substantially ?-shaped cross-section, and an external polymeric bumper housing covering the crossbeam (60) and the two at least polymeric crash boxes (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Stefania Zannier
  • Patent number: 8496287
    Abstract: A front vehicle body structure includes, on each of left and right sides, a front side frame, an upper member, a frame connecting member, an impact absorbing mechanism. The impact absorbing mechanism has a closed cross-sectional shape in frontal view of a vehicle. The impact absorbing mechanism includes an external wall and an internal wall. The external wall is substantially straight with respect to an upper internal wall of the upper member such that the frame connecting member is disposed therebetween. The internal wall has a shape in which at least a front portion of the internal wall between a central portion of the internal wall in its longitudinal direction and the bumper beam is obliquely bent outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Matsuura, Shigeto Yasuhara, Kojiro Okabe, Ryota Abe, Ken Sato
  • Publication number: 20130175812
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle bumper structure. The vehicle bumper structure includes a bumper face exposed outward from a vehicle at a front end of a vehicle body, and a load transmission member having a front end opposing a surface of the bumper face at a vehicle rear side and a rear end secured to a vehicle body structural member. The load transmission member has a groove in either of an upper portion and a lower portion thereof. The groove serves as a starting point for bending the load transmission member in response to a compressive load in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Publication number: 20130179041
    Abstract: A crash structure for absorbing crash energy is provided for installation in a vehicle front, in which an actuating system is provided which sets a rigidity of the crash structure as a function of a signal characterizing a crash. Furthermore, the crash structure has a sensor system which outputs this signal. Moreover, the crash structure has two modules that are connected to each other, the connection breaking as of a predetermined force, so that then the at least two modules move with respect to each other, until at least one stop has been reached. The signal indicates the breaking and the reaching of the stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Stephan Loosen
  • Patent number: 8469417
    Abstract: Bumper structure 10 for a motor vehicle includes at least two polymeric crash boxes 30 having preferably an alveolar structure, and including a cross member 20 which extends between the at least two polymeric crash boxes 30, in which the cross member 20 is a metallic cross member 20. The bumper structure 10 includes connection elements 40 which extend between the metallic cross member 20 and a frame of the motor vehicle, and besides which are positioned in proximity of the at least two polymeric crash boxes 30. The connection elements 40 are plastically deformable and are unable to resist to compression stresses avoiding advantageously to transmit the compression stresses to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Svimar S.R.L.-Societa' Per Lo Sviluppo Del Marketing E Della Ricerca
    Inventor: Francesca Di Modugno
  • Patent number: 8469416
    Abstract: An impact absorbing device for a vehicle includes an impact-absorbing portion including an inner wall surface extending smoothly in an axial direction and configured to compressively deform in the axial direction for absorbing an impact energy, a first attaching portion closing an opening end of the impact-absorbing portion closer to a bumper reinforcement and configured to be attached to the bumper reinforcement, a second attaching portion extending from an opening end of the impact-absorbing portion closer to the side member and configured to be attached to a side member, a readily deformable portion provided at the impact-absorbing portion and formed by forming a plate thickness to be thinner in a partial range of the impact-absorbing portion in the axial direction, and an initial peak load restraining portion provided at the first attaching portion and set to be away from the bumper reinforcement in the axial direction, which are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Haneda, Shuji Inoue, Makoto Ito, Kenichi Adachi, Kiyoichi Kita, Jun Shobo
  • Publication number: 20130154286
    Abstract: An impact absorbing member includes: a first wall and a second wall that face each other; a plurality of side walls connecting these first wall and second wall; a corner portion connecting the side walls; and a destruction inducing portion, located within a predetermined area from the corner portion, for destroying the corner portion when the first wall or the second wall receives impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: KYORAKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: KYORAKU CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130154287
    Abstract: Disclosed is the outer support member and the inner support member each have a vertical wall and upper and lower horizontal walls. The vertical walls of the outer support member and inner support member are formed on the outer surfaces of the respective support members. The inner edges of the upper and lower horizontal walls are inclined from the rear portions thereof toward front center portions thereof. Thus, the performance of the crash box of the present invention may satisfy the requirements for both an offset test and a barrier test, reduce the weight of the bumper beam assembly to thereby reduce costs, and improve the performance and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: LOTTE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jong Wook Lee, Seung Chang Kim, Choul Won So
  • Publication number: 20130154285
    Abstract: A bumper beam assembly for a vehicle may include a back beam disposed inside a vehicle bumper, both distal ends of the back beam being oriented in a lateral direction of a main body of the vehicle, crash boxes coupled to one side of the back beam, the crash boxes protruding from the both distal ends of the back beam toward the bumper, and back beam stays integrally coupled to the other side of the back beam, the back beam stays protruding from the both distal ends of the back beam toward an inside of the vehicle, in a direction opposite to a direction in which the crash boxes protrude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Hanwha L&C Corporation, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Phil Jung Jeong, Jun Mo Ku, Jin Ho Kim, Jong Myung Lim, Sang Wook Nam
  • Publication number: 20130147217
    Abstract: A tubular back beam for a vehicle is provided to effectively cope with crashes, including a head-on crash, an offset crash, etc., thus promoting excellent crashworthiness, and thereby maximally reducing damage to a vehicle body, in addition to maximally mitigating injuries to a pedestrian and a passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Gyung KIM
  • Publication number: 20130147216
    Abstract: An energy absorber for a vehicle includes a structure with an I-shaped cross-sectional structure, preventing collision energy from causing a buckling phenomenon. Particularly, the wiring for an electric wire connected to a sensor can be realized by making use of extra space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Gyung KIM
  • Patent number: 8454080
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a frame with energy-absorbing zones at outboard corners of the vehicle and a bumper beam mounted to the energy-absorbing zones to transfer force to at least one of the energy-absorbing zones during a collision. The bumper beam includes a center section extending generally laterally across the vehicle between the energy-absorbing zones, and left and right load transfer sections attached to outboard ends of the center section. Each load transfer section extends outboard and rearward such that the free end of each load transfer section is disposed outboard of the frame adjacent a rear end of its respective energy-absorbing zone. In a small-overlap collision, the load transfer section on the side of the impact bends rearward as the energy-absorbing zone deforms, and the free end of the load transfer section contacts the frame to transfer crash loads to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yi Qu, Edgar Edward Donabedian, Kevin Gustafson, Kenneth R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8454064
    Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a bumper to a vehicle includes a deformation organ having one end for attachment to the bumper, and another end for sliding into a side member. The insertion section includes an inner wall which is stretchable when subjected to a tensile force. For elongating the inner wall, a material strip is received in a receiving space and equipped with a threaded breakthrough, which is aligned with a breakthrough of the adjacent transverse wall for receiving a tensile screw. The tensile screw extends through a breakthrough in a side member and exerts a force which elongates the inner wall. This initially provides a loose sliding-in of the insertion section in the side member and, following stretching of the inner wall, a tight seat of the insertion section in the side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Simon Frank
  • Publication number: 20130127191
    Abstract: A polymeric crash box (10) for a motor vehicle, having a first open frontal extremity (12) and a second rear extremity (14), and besides it includes a substantially alveolar structure (20) having a plurality of channels (30) realized in just one piece which extends internally to the polymeric crash box (10), besides each channel (30) being internally tapered towards the second rear extremity (14). The substantially alveolar structure (20) includes a second plurality of channels (40) realized in just one piece with the plurality of channels (30), besides each channel (40) being internally tapered towards the first open frontal extremity (12). Besides each channel (40) internally tapered towards the first open frontal extremity (12) it is surrounded by channels (30) internally tapered towards the second rear extremity (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: TRES SRL
    Inventor: Stefania Zannier
  • Publication number: 20130119682
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, in particular passenger motorcar, is provided. The motor vehicle includes a side member, a bumper and a crashbox. The crash box includes a main portion extending between a tip of the side member and the bumper and an anchoring portion pushed into an open end of the side member. A support body extends within the anchoring portion between walls of the anchoring portion located opposite each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Publication number: 20130119683
    Abstract: A method of making a beam-box crash management system comprises forming a first shell (100a) from a first sheet metal blank by a hot forming process. The first shell has a high tensile strength beam portion (102a) and integrally formed there-with a first low yield strength crash box portion (104a) proximate a first end of the beam portion and second low yield strength crash box portion proximate a second end of the beam portion. The first shell also has an open face extending continuously along the beam portion and each of the first and second crash box portions (104a, 106a). A closing element (100b) is formed from a second sheet metal blank, and is fixedly secured adjacent to the open face of the first shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Blümel, Christian Hengst, Ernst Lindtner
  • Patent number: 8439412
    Abstract: A motor vehicle forward structure is provided with at least two vehicle chassis beams, at least two crash boxes, which are arranged at the front ends of the vehicle chassis beams, and at least one transverse beam structure, which is secured to the crash boxes. The transverse beam structure exhibits two transverse bumper carriers with a first transverse bumper carrier above the crash boxes, and a second transverse bumper carrier below the crash boxes. The crash boxes are fixed in a left and right end area of the transverse beam structure, between the transverse bumper carriers and at the ends of the vehicle chassis beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stanislaw Klimek
  • Publication number: 20130113226
    Abstract: In an embodiment, multi-stage energy absorbing system can comprise: a thermoplastic flanged frame and a crush lobe having a proximal base aligned with the flanged frame and a distal end protruding from the flanged frame. The crush lobe comprises a central slab and slab pairs such that the crush lobe comprises a total of 2i+1 slabs, wherein i is the number of slab pairs and is greater than or equal to 1. The slabs are disposed in a stepped arrangement and configured to absorb impact energy by collapsing in a telescopic manner with increasing energy level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: SOMASEKHAR VENKAT BOBBA, DHANENDRA KUMAR NAGWANSHI, MATTHEW D. MARKS
  • Patent number: 8430437
    Abstract: A crash can is made of aluminum-alloy casting and provided between a side frame extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a side portion of a vehicle and an end portion of a bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction. The crash can comprises a hollow tube portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and having a cross-shaped section. At least one of an outwardly-projecting corner portion and an inwardly-projecting corner portion of the tube portion is formed by a groove such that a thickness thereof is thinner than that of the other portion of the tube portion. Accordingly, an impact which a vehicle body or a passenger may receive in a vehicle collision can be reduced by the crash can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyasu Asakawa, Katsuya Nishiguchi, Takahiro Kimura, Nobuyuki Oda, Kojiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130099514
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper apparatus includes a bumper reinforcement member formed to have a hollow cross section and including a vehicle interior portion formed to have an open cross section including an opening, and a crush box supporting the bumper reinforcement member to mount the bumper reinforcement member to a side member of a vehicle body, the crush box including a connecting portion arranged at a vehicle exterior portion, the connecting portion closing the opening of the bumper reinforcement member to restrict the opening from being expanded, and a retaining portion protruding from the connecting portion toward an exterior side of a vehicle to retain the bumper reinforcement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN KEIKINZOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN KEIKINZOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130099513
    Abstract: A trailer-mounted crash impact attenuator is disclosed for attachment to a host vehicle, which comprises an anti-rotational attachment system having an internal support tube and a plurality of external support tubes. The internal support tube has a connector on its front end for attachment to a suitable receptacle on the host vehicle, and the plurality of external support tubes each have an anti-rotation support pad on their front ends. At least one of the internal support tube and the plurality of external support tubes is comprised of a telescoping construction. A backup frame is disposed on a rear end of the attachment system, and a crash attenuator unit is disposed on an axle and pair of wheels for mobility. When the crash attenuator is impacted by an errant vehicle, the anti-rotational attachment system is actuated to prevent the trailer mounted crash impact attenuator from rotating relative to the host vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Geoffrey B. Maus
  • Patent number: 8419116
    Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a front end frame assembly extending laterally across the vehicle and disposed adjacent a forward end of the vehicle, and a bumper beam extending laterally across the vehicle and spaced apart longitudinally forward of the front end frame assembly. A first set of spaced apart inner attachment structures connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. A second set of spaced apart outer attachment structures also connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. The second set of outer attachment structures is spaced apart from and flanks the first set of inner attachment structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Jamison Weirup
  • Patent number: 8414041
    Abstract: An automobile bumper arrangement includes a crossbeam coupled to side rails of an automobile via crash boxes, wherein the crossbeam has extensions disposed at end sections which are laterally supported on a corresponding crash box. A modular bumper system has a crossbeam, an extension and a crash box coupled to a side rail of an automobile, wherein the crossbeam has a standardized length and a vehicle-specific width of a bumper can be attained by varying the length of the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Mirko Paare, Dariusz Straznikiewicz, Oliver Müller, Enrico Seidl
  • Publication number: 20130076051
    Abstract: A crash structure is provided that is integrated within a vehicle side rail, the crash structure providing relatively level loading during a collision. The structure includes an actuator member coupled to the bumper, the actuator member passing into, and slidably disposed within, a hollow housing of the crash structure. The hollow housing contains a plurality of deformable members that at least partially surround a first portion of the actuator member. A second portion of the actuator member, which is between the bumper and the first portion of the actuator member, has a larger diameter than that of the first portion of the actuator member and is configured to deform the deformable members during a collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael John Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20130076052
    Abstract: A crush box arranged between a side member of a vehicle body and a bumper reinforcement member, the crush box including: a main body portion arranged in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and formed in a tubular shape, the main body portion having first and second portions; a vehicle body attaching portion arranged at a first end of the main body portion; and a bumper attaching portion arranged at a second end of the main body portion, wherein vertical cross-sections of both the first portion adjacent to the vehicle body attaching portion and the second portion adjacent to the bumper attaching portion are polygonal shapes, and the number of vertices of the polygonal shape of the vertical cross-section of the second portion is greater than the number of vertices of the polygonal shape of the vertical cross-section of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN KEIKINZOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanobu KANEKO, Kiyoichi KITA, Tamaki OBAYASHI, Kyosuke MATSUI
  • Patent number: 8403385
    Abstract: An automobile bumper structure reduces damage to a vehicle body in an offset collision by having a bumper member in an offset collision area formed by a separate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei Sugimoto, Kodai Taneda
  • Publication number: 20130069377
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a frame with energy-absorbing zones at outboard corners of the vehicle and a bumper beam mounted to the energy-absorbing zones to transfer force to at least one of the energy-absorbing zones during a collision. The bumper beam includes a center section extending generally laterally across the vehicle between the energy-absorbing zones, and left and right load transfer sections attached to outboard ends of the center section. Each load transfer section extends outboard and rearward such that the free end of each load transfer section is disposed outboard of the frame adjacent a rear end of its respective energy-absorbing zone. In a small-overlap collision, the load transfer section on the side of the impact bends rearward as the energy-absorbing zone deforms, and the free end of the load transfer section contacts the frame to transfer crash loads to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yi Qu, Edgar Edward Donabedian, Kevin Gustafson, Kenneth R. Schmidt