Energy absorbing vehicle door with guard beam load distributor
US5542738A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60J5/0452
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automotive vehicle occupant compartment is bounded by an energy absorbing vehicle door including an outer panel, an inner panel joined to the outer panel and defining a space therebetween, a guard beam mounted longitudinally in the space, a trim panel mounted on an occupant compartment side of the inner panel and having a plurality of energy absorbing bolsters attached generally laterally adjacent the guard beam, and a load distribuler mounted in the space laterally between the guard beam and the energy absorbing bolsters for distributing a load imparted to the guard beam evenly across the energy absorbing bolsters so as to preserve the energy absorption bolsters in a substantially undeformed state prior to occupant contact with the door during a side impact type collision.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.