Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110210579 | ENERGY ABSORBER ELEMENTS AND VEHICLE SYSTEMS - In some embodiments, an energy absorber element can comprise: a first support wall and a second support wall, a crush wall joining the first and second support walls together to define a deformable zone; a connection mechanism configured to connect the first and/or second support wall to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for using an energy absorber element in a vehicle can comprise: detachably connecting an energy absorber element to a vehicle at a support location for a vehicle component, once the energy absorber element has absorbed energy, detaching the energy absorber element from the vehicle; and separately replacing the energy absorber element from the vehicle component. In some embodiments, the vehicle component is not replaced. | 09-01-2011 |
20110227353 | PLASTICALLY DEFORMABLE SPRING ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME - In one embodiment, an energy management system can comprise: a support structure; a covering; and a plastically deformable compression spring located between the support structure and the covering. In one embodiment, a method of absorbing energy can comprise: impacting a portion of a vehicle comprising an energy management system and plastically deforming the compression spring. A method for energy management in a vehicle comprises installing the energy management system in a vehicle. | 09-22-2011 |
20120104775 | REINFORCED PLASTIC ENERGY ABSORBER SYSTEM AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - In one embodiment, an energy absorber, comprises: a plurality of crush lobes including a base and sides extending from the base to an outer wall; and a composite insert in the energy absorber. The insert comprises a second plastic material and reinforcement. The second plastic material is different than the crush lobe material. The insert is located at an area of the crush lobes, and wherein the area is the side and/or the outer wall. In another embodiment, an energy absorber comprises: a plastic frame; thermoplastic crush lobes extending from the frame, wherein the crush lobes comprise an outer wall, an extending wall, and a base; and a plastic insert located at an area having a volume of the crush lobes, wherein the insert occupies less than or equal to 90% of the area volume. The insert comprises reinforcement and a plastic material different than the thermoplastic crush lobes. | 05-03-2012 |
20120153647 | ASYMMETRIC ENERGY ABSORBER AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - In one embodiment, an asymmetric energy absorber can comprise: an upper wall and a lower wall defining crush lobes; a flange, wherein the lower wall is between the flange and the upper wall; a base extending between the lower wall and the flange, wherein the flange extends from a first side of the base; and a rib extending along the base toward the flange and away from a second side of the base. In an embodiment, a vehicle bumper system, can comprise: a bumper beam having an outer face and a bottom surface; an asymmetric energy absorber. The asymmetric energy absorber can comprise: a generally triangular shaped section formed by an upper wall extending from an upper wall first end toward a lower wall to a joining area; a base extending from a second end of the lower wall opposite the joining area and in a direction away from the upper wall; a flange extending away from the base, below the lower wall; and a rib extending from the base along the bottom surface of the bumper beam. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153669 | REINFORCED BODY IN WHITE AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - In various embodiments, a structural body of a vehicle comprises: a hollow metal component comprising walls that define a channel, wherein the metal vehicle component has a metal component length, and wherein the metal vehicle component is selected from the group consisting of beam, rail, pillar, chassis, floor rocker, and cross-bar, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; and a plastic reinforcement having a honeycomb structure, wherein the plastic reinforcement is located in the channel. The metal component can be a portion of the structural body of the vehicle. | 06-21-2012 |
20120200098 | METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING PLASTICALLY DEFORMABLE COIL ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - In an embodiment, a method of absorbing energy comprises: impacting a portion of a vehicle comprising a coil energy absorber, and compressing and plastically deforming the coil energy absorber. The coil energy absorber has an initial height and is located between the support structure and the covering, and wherein the coil energy absorber absorbs energy upon impact such that, after the impact, the coil energy absorber has a final height that is less than or equal to 90% of the initial height. The coil energy absorber is made of plastic. The coil energy absorber is located between a fascia and a support structure of the vehicle. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200099 | PLASTICALLY DEFORMABLE COIL ENERGY ABSORBER SYSTEMS - In one embodiment, an energy management system can comprise: a vehicle energy management system comprises: a support structure selected from a bumper beam, a body in white, a body in black, a front-end module, a radiator support beam, a bumper support bracket, a component projecting from the body in white, a component projecting from the body in black, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; a covering; and a coil energy absorber made of plastic. The coil energy absorber has an initial height and is located between the support structure and the covering. The coil energy absorber absorbs energy upon impact such that, after the impact, the coil energy absorber has a final height that is less than or equal to 90% of the initial height. | 08-09-2012 |
20130055849 | STEERING APPARATUS THERMAL MANAGEMENT - A steering wheel system can comprise: an armature comprising a rim comprising a plastic core, a covering between the plastic core and the protective outer layer, and a thermal management provision; a hub with a bush; and a spoke connecting the rim to the hub. A method for making a thermal management steering wheel can comprise: forming a plastic rim with a core having a channel with ribs, wherein during use, the ribs induce a change in direction and a change in velocity of a fluid flow through the channel; laser direct structuring electrically conductive material onto the core; disposing a foam material around the core; and disposing a protective material around the foam material. | 03-07-2013 |
20130193698 | ENERGY ABSORBING ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - In an embodiment, an energy absorbing assembly comprises a foam stage having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface comprises a recess; and a thermoplastic stage comprising a frame and crush lobes; wherein the crush lobes extend from the frame of the thermoplastic stage into the recess. In another embodiment, a method of making an energy absorbing assembly comprises forming a foam stage having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface comprises recesses; forming a thermoplastic stage having a frame and crush lobes protruding from the frame; and engaging the recesses and the crush lobes to form the energy absorbing assembly. | 08-01-2013 |
20130221691 | ENERGY ABSORBING SYSTEM - An embodiment of a thermoplastic energy absorber for a vehicle comprises: a base and a crush lobe. The crush lobe comprises load walls extending from the base and a convex front face located at an end of the load walls opposite the base, wherein the convex front face bow outward, away from the base. The convex front face is connected to the load walls with fillets. The base and crush lobes comprise a plastic material. | 08-29-2013 |
20130221917 | Energy Absorbing System for Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Methods for Making and Using the Same - In one embodiment, an electric vehicle charging station comprises a base and a body extending from the base along a major axis of the electric vehicle charging station; and an energy absorbing system comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a connecting wall disposed therebetween the first wall and the second wall creating a compartment; wherein the body receives the energy absorbing system; and wherein the energy absorbing system is configured to engage an impacting object. | 08-29-2013 |
20130234663 | ENERGY ABSORBING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME - In one embodiment, an electric vehicle charging station comprises a body attached to a base, wherein the base is operably connected to a deflector mechanism, wherein the body moves from a rest position disposed along a major axis of the electric vehicle charging station to an impact position, with an articulation angle disposed therebetween, upon an impact having a force greater than or equal to 5 kiloNewtons. | 09-12-2013 |
20140050524 | ROAD BARRIER ENERGY ABSORBING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME - In an embodiment, a road barrier energy absorption unit can comprise: a vehicle crush section configured to absorb impact energy when impacted with greater than or equal to 5 kN force; a post channel configured to receive a road barrier post; and a guardrail attachment. The energy absorption unit can be disposed over the post and a guardrail can attach to the energy absorption unit. In an embodiment, a road barrier energy absorber system comprises: posts; road barrier energy absorption unit; and a guardrail extending between the energy absorber units. Each post is disposed in one of the energy absorber units. The energy absorber units comprise a vehicle crush section configured to absorb impact energy when impacted with greater than or equal to 5 kN force. In an embodiment, a guardrail can comprise: an outer wall and stiffening elements, wherein the guardrail comprises a plastic. | 02-20-2014 |
20140203592 | REINFORCED BODY IN WHITE AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - A structural body of a vehicle can comprises: a hollow metal component comprising walls that define a channel, wherein the metal component has a metal component length, and wherein the metal component is selected from the group consisting of beam, rail, pillar, chassis, floor rocker, and cross-bar, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; and a plastic-metal hybrid reinforcement having a cavities therethrough, and a metal support having greater than or equal to 3 walls forming a support channel. The plastic element is located in the support channel wherein the reinforcement is located in the component channel. | 07-24-2014 |
20140272119 | FUNCTIONALLY GRADED POLYMER ARTICLES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing a functionally graded polymer material. The methods comprise preparing a melted polymer mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a magnetic filler dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer, molding the melted polymer mixture and applying a magnetic field to a portion of the melted polymer mixture to form a functionally graded polymer material. The resulting functionally graded polymer material has a magnetic filler gradient formed through a thickness of the material. | 09-18-2014 |