| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080228358 | Vehicle Personalization System - A vehicle includes at least one reconfigurable system having a plurality of selectively variable parameters, and a controller that is operatively connected to the at least one reconfigurable system to control the values of the plurality of selectively variable parameters. The controller is also configured to receive data indicative of physical characteristics of a person from at least one data storage medium, and configured to determine values of the selectively variable parameters according to a predetermined algorithm based on the data indicative of physical characteristics of a person. The controller is also configured to cause the selectively variable parameters to assume the determined values. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20090025995 | Vehicle Hood With Sandwich Inner Structure - An energy-absorbing hood assembly for a vehicle includes upper and lower layers and a middle panel. The upper and lower layers have first and second interface surfaces, respectively. The middle panel has opposing first and second surfaces defining a corrugated profile having a plurality of bonding surfaces, the bonding surfaces being attached to the first and second interface surfaces to thereby define a plurality of laterally oriented channels. The corrugated profile further defines a height and wavelength along a substantial portion of the hood assembly, each being configured to be variably tunable to provide different predetermined levels of absorption and attenuation of kinetic energy imparted to the hood assembly by objects upon impact therebetween. Preferably, the hood assembly also includes an upper hood panel having an inner surface secured to the upper layer. Ideally, the corrugated profile is a trapezoidal waveform profile. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090026807 | Energy-Absorbing Vehicle Hood Assembly with Cushion Inner Structure - An energy-absorbing hood assembly for a vehicle includes an upper layer having a plurality of polyhedral protuberances extending outward therefrom, and preferably a lower layer. The protuberances are disposed between the upper and lower layers, and preferably arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows. The polyhedral protuberances are adapted to absorb and attenuate crush loads imparted to the hood assembly and resultant forces imparted to an object resulting from an impact between the object and the hood assembly. The polyhedral protuberances define various structural and material characteristics along different regions of the hood assembly that are selectively configured to provide different levels of absorption and attenuation of the crush loads and resultant forces. The lower layer is preferably configured to controllably fail at a first predetermined threshold crush load and the polyhedral protuberances are each configured to controllably deform at a second predetermined threshold crush load. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090065277 | Vehicle Hood Assembly with Rippled Cushion Support - An energy-absorbing hood assembly for a vehicle includes an inner layer operatively secured to an upper layer having a first interface surface. The inner layer has opposing first and second surfaces defining a sinusoidal profile that is oriented to extend from the forward end of the vehicle towards the rearward end of the vehicle. The sinusoidal profile includes varying amplitudes and wavelengths along different regions of the hood assembly. The amplitudes and wavelengths are individually configured to provide regionally distinct predetermined levels of absorption and attenuation of kinetic energy imparted to the hood assembly by an object upon impact therebetween. Preferably, the hood assembly also includes a lower layer having a second interface surface; wherein the inner layer has a plurality of bonding surfaces attached to the first and second interface surfaces to thereby define a plurality of laterally oriented channels. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090195020 | Energy Absorbing Vehicle Hood Assembly with Asymmetric Sandwich Inner Structure - An energy-absorbing hood assembly for a vehicle includes upper, lower, and middle panels. The upper and lower panels respectively include first and second interface surfaces. The upper panel is preferably secured to an inner surface of an outer panel. The middle panel has opposing first and second surfaces defining an asymmetric waveform profile, preferably having a polygonal geometry. The middle panel member is secured to the first and second interface surfaces at preselected locations along the upper and lower surfaces, thereby defining a plurality of laterally oriented asymmetric channels. The asymmetric waveform profile is configured with distinct amplitudes and wavelengths along different regions of the hood assembly, each configured to provide different predetermined levels of absorption and attenuation of kinetic energy imparted to the hood assembly by objects upon impact therebetween. Ideally, the lower and middle panels are respectively configured to controllably fail at first and second predetermined crush loads. | 08-06-2009 |
