Step assembly for energy absorption
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsGheorghe Barbuta, Shreeganesh Sudhindra, Len V. Peschansky, Jungryoung Kim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exemplary step assembly for a vehicle includes an energy absorption member including a support portion and a connection portion, the support portion including a support surface and a support structure, the support structure including a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members coupled to upper and lower inner walls of the support structure and a mounting member including a horizontal support member defining a plurality of openings. The energy absorption member is coupled to the mounting member with a mechanical fastener.
Claims16
A step assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- an energy absorption member comprising a support portion and a connection portion, the support portion comprising a support surface and a support structure, the support structure comprising a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members coupled to upper and lower inner walls of the support structure;
- and
- a mounting member comprising a horizontal support member defining a plurality of openings;
- wherein the energy absorption member is coupled to the mounting member with a fastening member;
- and
- wherein the mounting member comprises a first passage and the energy absorption member comprises a second passage, and the first and second passages are aligned to form a continuous passage configured to receive the fastening member.
An automotive vehicle, comprising:
- a frame member;
- a body structure coupled to the frame member;
- and
- a step assembly coupled to the frame member, the step assembly comprising an energy absorption member and a mounting member, the energy absorption member comprising a support portion and a connection portion, the support portion comprising a support surface and a support structure, the support structure comprising a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members coupled to upper and lower inner walls of the support structure such that the plurality of support members form a V-shaped truss structure;
- wherein the support portion includes a first wall, an interior wall, and a second wall, an exterior of the first wall defines the support surface and the truss structure extends a length of the step assembly, the truss structure extending between an interior surface of the first wall and an upper surface of the interior wall.
A system for absorbing a side impact load on a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a step assembly comprising an energy absorption member and a mounting member, the energy absorption member comprising a support portion and a connection portion, the support portion comprising a support surface and a support structure, the support structure comprising a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members coupled to upper and lower inner walls of the support structure such that the plurality of support members form a V-shaped truss structure;
- wherein the mounting member comprises a first passage and the energy absorption member comprises a second passage, and the first and second passages are aligned to form a continuous passage configured to receive a fastening member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.