Bumper energy absorber
US5967573A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R19/34
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A motor vehicle bumper energy absorber including an outer tube on a body of the motor vehicle, an inner tube and a bumper bar supported on the outer tube for linear translation between a retracted position and an extended position, an actuator for translating the inner tube and bumper bar, and a resistance medium for converting into work a fraction of the kinetic energy of an impact on the bumper bar. The actuator includes a shuttle on the inner tube, an actuator rod connected to the shuttle, and a plurality of spheres in wedge-shaped grooves in the inner tube. The actuator rod pushes the shuttle against the inner tube to translate the bumper bar from its retracted to its extended position. An impact on the bumper bar in its extended position causes the spheres to wedge against the outer tube. The actuator rod pulls the shuttle against the inner tube to translate the bumper from its extended position to its retracted position while fingers on the shuttle engage the spheres and prevent wedging of the latter against the outer tube. The wedged spheres constitute a resistance medium by plowing tracks in the outer tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.