Vehicle hood with sandwich inner structure
US7735908B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jun 15, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/343
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An energy-absorbing hood assembly for a vehicle includes upper and lower layers and a middle panel. The upper and lower layers have first and second interface surfaces, respectively. The middle panel has opposing first and second surfaces defining a corrugated profile having a plurality of bonding surfaces, the bonding surfaces being attached to the first and second interface surfaces to thereby define a plurality of laterally oriented channels. The corrugated profile further defines a height and wavelength along a substantial portion of the hood assembly, each being configured to be variably tunable to provide different predetermined levels of absorption and attenuation of kinetic energy imparted to the hood assembly by objects upon impact therebetween. Preferably, the hood assembly also includes an upper hood panel having an inner surface secured to the upper layer. Ideally, the corrugated profile is a trapezoidal waveform profile.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.