Method for improving the energy absorbing characteristics of automobile components

US6907391B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Johnson Controls Technology Company · US

Inventors

• Val Anthony Bellora · Holland, US
• Ryan W. Krauss · Grand Rapids, US
• Martin Lambrecht · Holland, US
• Lambert J. Van Poolen · Grand Rapids, US
• Paul E. Thoma · Wauwatosa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 2, 2001
• Grant date: Jun 14, 2005
• Expiry date: Jun 14, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/0048
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method is disclosed for designing an energy-absorbing impact zone for a vehicle interior, including acquiring test data representative of an occupant, determining a force versus deflection curve for the vehicle impact zone, analyzing the force versus deflection curve, and utilizing the analysis to adjust the stiffness of the energy-absorbing impact zone and to shape the force versus deflection curve so that a constant area under the force versus deflection curve has the minimum deflection possible without exceeding a certain force limit and a certain head impact criterion.