Patent · US Expired

Energy absorbing vehicle door with guard beam load distributor

US5573298A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 1996
Grant dateNov 12, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 29, 2016

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 comprising 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 thereto generally laterally adjacent the guard beam, and load distribution means 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.