Deformable cross-car beam system for side impact protection

US8079635B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Next Autoworks Company · US

Inventors

• Michael J. Devor · Bloomfield, US
• Paul A. Elio · Phoenix, US
• Frank Gabbianelli · Birmingham, US
• Robert E. Glaspie · Tehachapi, US
• Hari Sankara Iyer · Scottsdale, US
• Edward Kustrzyk · Royal Oak, US
• Azhagu Nachimuthu Sennimalai Subramanian · Rochester Hills, US
• Bogoljub Velanovich · Beverly Hills, US
• Frank Varansano · San Diego, US
• Jerrold Lavine · Farmington Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 25, 2010
• Grant date: Dec 20, 2011
• Expiry date: Mar 25, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D25/2036
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods that facilitate vehicle passenger protection during side impact events and, more particularly, to systems and methods which increase the survival space between the vehicle side structure and a vehicle passenger located in the vehicle passenger compartment while maintaining reasonable vehicle structure deceleration levels. The systems and methods enable the seat structure assemblies to move inboard during side impact events by coupling the seat structure assemblies to a deformable cross bar or beam. The embodiments include a deformable cross-car beam that is deformable in one or more locations along its length using changes in geometry and/or changes in material to initiate controlled deformation under a cross-car load due to a side impact event.