Crush zone and method for introducing crush zone into vehicle structure
US6994350B2 · kind B2 · utility
12Cited by
15References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22C21/08
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention involves a method to produce crush zones in aluminum structures using controlled application of retrogression heat treatment. Selected areas of a tubular rail are retrogression heat treated to locally lower the tensile yield strength. As a result, during a crash event, initial deformation is localized in the crush zone enabling the crush pattern to be designed directly into the structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.