Tunable, healable vehicle impact devices
US7029044B2 · kind B2 · utility
34Cited by
8References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F2224/0258
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An impact absorbing device for a vehicle uses a shape memory material that can be heated to repair deformation from a relatively low speed, low energy impact and its stroking force and energy absorption can be tuned by heating. The shape memory material is suitably used in a crash box having an inserted impact absorbing ram, the box being placed, for example, between a bumper and strong body member. The shape memory material is attached to the box and ram for absorbing energy as the ram is driven into the box. Electric resistance heating may be used to repair or tune the shape memory material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.