Cross-car beam systems
US6869132B2 · kind B2 · utility
19Cited by
11References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 22, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/0006
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A beam system of telescoping tubes is used for absorbing side impacts to a passenger vehicle. A central outer tube is attached to a vehicle seat structure and extends between, e.g., a side door and the tunnel in the passenger compartment floor. Inner tubes in each end of the outer tube are moved between retracted positions to extended positions respectively engaging said tunnel and said door during vehicle operation. Each inner tube has a tapered piston carrying rolling elements for wedging against the outer tube for energy absorption upon a side impact.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.