Patent · US Active

Energy absorber and method for manufacturing the same

US7842378B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
8References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 30, 2004
Grant dateNov 30, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 4, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/249924
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An energy absorber is crushed upon receiving compressive load, thereby absorbing energy. The energy absorber has a first end and a second end with respect to a direction of the compressive load. The energy absorber is formed of fiber-reinforced resin. The fiber-reinforced resin includes a stack of fiber layers having a compression direction fiber layer. The compression direction fiber layer includes fiber bundles of filament fibers. The fiber bundles are arranged such that the extending direction of the fiber bundles has a component of the direction of the compressive load. The density of the fiber bundles is gradually increased from the first end to the second end. Therefore, compressive load required for crushing is prevented from increasing at an early stage of crushing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.