Abstract

Devices and methods for absorbing vehicle crash energy with a safety device are disclosed. The safety device may function as a uniform deceleration unit (UDU). In some embodiments, the UDUs described herein may include an assembly of an inner skin stiffener and an energy absorber, arranged inside of an outer skin casing. The inner skin stiffener may have a series of projections configured to engage with holes in the energy absorber which may help retain the two components fixed relative to one another. In some embodiments, the energy absorber may be formed of a low density material, such as a monolithic metallic foam material. The projections of the inner skin stiffener may be formed using a press forming method to simplify the manufacturability of the UDU and enhance the overall system throughput.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62D 25/02 - Side panels
• B62D 21/15 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body

Abstract

An apparatus and method for improving the safety and performance of an automobile in crash events is disclosed. The apparatus includes a front crash pad, rear crash pad, and a connection beam. Both crash pads and the connection beam are coupled to an automobile in such fashion as to absorb and dissipate energy by converting kinetic energy into strain energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 19/00 - Wheel guardsRadiator guardsObstruction removersFittings damping bouncing force in collisions
• B60R 13/08 - Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
• B60J 5/04 - Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
• B62D 25/18 - Parts or details thereof, e.g. mud-guard flaps

Abstract

A crash box may include one or more layers arranged to absorb crash energy. In some embodiments, the crash box includes a first layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the first layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy, and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the second layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 19/26 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means
• B60R 19/34 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type
• F16F 7/12 - Vibration-dampersShock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members
• B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• B60R 19/00 - Wheel guardsRadiator guardsObstruction removersFittings damping bouncing force in collisions
• B60R 19/02 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
• B60R 19/36 - Combinations of yieldable mounting means of different types
• F16F 7/00 - Vibration-dampersShock-absorbers

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein include a safety device with a body having a first end, a second opposite end, and a plurality of stacked crash pad layers. A stiffness of the body is arranged to increase in a direction from the first end of the body towards the second end of the body. In some embodiments, the stiffness of the body increases in a fore-aft direction when the safe device is installed in an automobile.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• B60R 13/08 - Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
• B60R 19/00 - Wheel guardsRadiator guardsObstruction removersFittings damping bouncing force in collisions
• B60R 19/02 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
• B60R 19/26 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means
• B60R 19/34 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type

Abstract

Devices and methods for absorbing crash energy are described. A uniform deceleration unit (UDU) includes a first layer having a top and a bottom, the top of the first layer arranged to be outwardly facing towards a direction of a crash force when the UDU is installed, a second layer on the bottom of the first layer, the second layer having a rib and web structure with a first arrangement, a third layer on a bottom of the second layer, the third layer having a rib and web structure with a second arrangement, and a fourth layer on a bottom of the third layer, the fourth layer arranged to be inwardly facing when the UDU is installed, the fourth layer including a reaction beam arranged to allow the first, second, and third layers to crush. The UDU may be installed in or positioned near the side sill beam.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62D 25/02 - Side panels
• B60R 21/00 - Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks

Abstract

Devices and methods for absorbing crash energy via a side sill uniform deceleration unit (UDU) is disclosed. The UDU includes a first layer having a top and a bottom, the top of the first layer arranged to be outwardly facing towards a direction of a crash force when the uniform deceleration unit is installed in a vehicle, a second layer disposed on the bottom of the first layer, the second layer having a rib and web structure with a first arrangement, a third layer disposed on a bottom of the second layer, the third layer having a rib and web structure with a second arrangement, and a fourth layer disposed on a bottom of the third layer, the fourth layer arranged to be inwardly facing when the uniform deceleration unit is installed in the vehicle, wherein the fourth includes a reaction beam arranged to allow the first, second, and third layers to crush. The UDU may be installed in or positioned near the side sill beam.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62D 21/15 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body
• B62D 25/20 - Floors or bottom sub-units
• B62D 25/02 - Side panels

Abstract

An apparatus and method for improving the safety and performance of an automobile in crash events is disclosed. The apparatus includes a front crash pad, rear crash pad, and a connection beam. Both crash pads and the connection beam are coupled to an automobile in such fashion as to absorb and dissipate energy by converting kinetic energy into strain energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 19/00 - Wheel guardsRadiator guardsObstruction removersFittings damping bouncing force in collisions
• B60R 13/08 - Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
• B62D 25/18 - Parts or details thereof, e.g. mud-guard flaps
• B60J 5/04 - Doors arranged at the vehicle sides

Abstract

An apparatus and method for improving the safety and performance of an automobile in crash events is disclosed. The safety device includes first and second crash pad regions and a connecting member region disposed between the first and second crash pad regions. At least a portion of the connecting member region is arranged to move in one of an upward and downward direction at the initial moment of a crash to absorb crash energy. The safety device is arranged to collapse on itself upon continuation of the crash. In some embodiments, the safety device collapses in a horizontal direction upon continuation of the crash.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 19/00 - Wheel guardsRadiator guardsObstruction removersFittings damping bouncing force in collisions
• B29D 24/00 - Producing articles with hollow walls
• B60J 5/04 - Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
• B60R 21/02 - Occupant safety arrangements or fittings
• B62D 25/18 - Parts or details thereof, e.g. mud-guard flaps
• F16F 7/12 - Vibration-dampersShock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members

Abstract

An apparatus and method for improving the safety and performance of an automobile in crash events is disclosed. The safety device includes first and second crash pad regions and a connecting member region disposed between the first and second crash pad regions. At least a portion of the connecting member region is arranged to move in one of an upward and downward direction at the initial moment of a crash to absorb crash energy. The safety device is arranged to collapse on itself upon continuation of the crash. In some embodiments, the safety device collapses in a horizontal direction upon continuation of the crash.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 19/00 - Wheel guardsRadiator guardsObstruction removersFittings damping bouncing force in collisions
• B62D 25/18 - Parts or details thereof, e.g. mud-guard flaps
• B62D 21/15 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body

Abstract

A crash box may include one or more layers arranged to absorb crash energy. In some embodiments, the crash box includes a first layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the first layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy, and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the second layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 19/26 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means
• B60R 19/34 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type
• F16F 7/12 - Vibration-dampersShock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members
• B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• B60R 19/00 - Wheel guardsRadiator guardsObstruction removersFittings damping bouncing force in collisions
• B60R 19/02 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
• B60R 19/36 - Combinations of yieldable mounting means of different types
• F16F 7/00 - Vibration-dampersShock-absorbers

Abstract

A crash box may include one or more layers arranged to absorb crash energy. In some embodiments, the crash box includes a first layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the first layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy, and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the second layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 19/26 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means
• B60R 19/00 - Wheel guardsRadiator guardsObstruction removersFittings damping bouncing force in collisions
• B60R 19/02 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
• B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• B60R 19/34 - Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type
• B62D 21/15 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body

Abstract

An apparatus and method for improving the safety and performance of an automobile in crash events is disclosed. The apparatus includes a front crash pad, rear crash pad, and a connection beam. Both crash pads and the connection beam are coupled to an automobile in such fashion as to absorb and dissipate energy by converting kinetic energy into strain energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• B29D 24/00 - Producing articles with hollow walls
• B62D 25/08 - Front or rear portions
• B62D 25/18 - Parts or details thereof, e.g. mud-guard flaps