Energy absorbing system for a vehicle

US7770927B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Bhushan W. Dandekar · Rochester Hills, US
• Vikas Sharma · Elgin, US
• Vijay Shankar Iyer · Bengaluru, IN
• Manoj Marella · Bengaluru, IN

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 18, 2008
• Grant date: Aug 10, 2010
• Expiry date: Nov 15, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D21/155
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for absorbing energy in a vehicle includes a pair of laterally spaced upper and lower side rails which extend along a longitudinal axis. The lower side rails are disposed below the upper side rails. An upper member extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and interconnects the upper side rails. A lower member extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and interconnects the lower side rails. The upper and lower members are each disposed to transmit energy from the upper and lower members through the respective upper and lower side rails. The upper and lower members are configured to simultaneously deform upon impact of the vehicle with an object and transfer a force generated from impacting the object to the upper and lower side rails, respectively.