Crumple zone for body panels

US7052077B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Nick Kalageros · Dudley, GB
• Holly Giangrande · Troy, US
• Roch Tolinski · Howell, US
• Charlie Hopson · Lebanon, US
• Steven Foster · Rochester Hills, US
• Laurent Arquevaux · Sully-sur-Loire, FR
• Rainer Grimm · Frankfurt, DE
• Carmelo Mondello · Frankfurt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 13, 2000
• Grant date: May 30, 2006
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D21/15
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The body panels of the present invention are designed to crumple in a predisposed manner upon impact. The body panels are preferably made from a polymeric material. Further, the body panels can include a sheet of colored material attached to the polymeric material so that no painting of the panel is necessary. Preferably, the colored material is on an exterior surface of the panel. The colored material could be made from a thermoplastic with molded in color. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a polymeric material reinforced with spaced reinforcing fibers. An alternative embodiment of the body panel includes a sheet of polymeric material that is reinforced with spaced mechanical ribs that are preferably molded into the sheet of material. Another alternative embodiment of the body panel includes alternating sections of high density polymeric foam and low density polymeric foam. Yet another alternative embodiment of the body panel includes a sheet of foam material, preferably polymeric, that is reinforced with spaced metal inserts. The metal inserts are preferably notched to yield in a predetermined manner.