# US 10,766,536 B2 · Lateral energy absorption system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,536 B2 - Document ID: US10766536B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/685,328 - Filed: 2017-08-24 - Published: 2018-03-08 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-07 - Assignees: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited - Applicants: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited - Inventors: Peter Tutzer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766536B2 ## CPC - B62D 21/157: {for side impacts} - B62D 25/025: {Side sills thereof} - B62D 25/2036: {the subunits being side panels, sills or pillars (B62D21/157 takes precedence)} - B62D 29/001: {characterised by combining metal and synthetic material} - B62D 29/04: predominantly of synthetic material (working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A vehicle including a lateral energy absorption system which includes a first side beam that defines a first chamber. The first side beam extends between a front and a rear of the vehicle. A second side beam that defines a second chamber. The second side beam extends between the front and the rear of the vehicle. Further, a first carbon structure within the first chamber, and a second carbon structure within the second chamber, are included. The first and second carbon structures absorb energy from an impact on a side of the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle, comprising: a lateral energy absorption system, comprising: a first chamber, wherein a long side of the first chamber extends between a front and a rear of the vehicle and the first chamber is elongated; a second chamber, wherein a long side of the second chamber extends between the front and the rear of the vehicle and the second chamber is elongated; a first carbon structure within the first chamber, wherein the first carbon structure comprises carbon tubes and carbon flanges, wherein the carbon flanges are configured to connect the carbon tubes, wherein the flanges have varying lengths, and wherein the first carbon structure has a varying thickness in a direction perpendicular to the carbon flanges; a second carbon structure within the second chamber, wherein the first and second carbon structures absorb energy from an impact on a side of the vehicle, and wherein the second carbon structure has a varying thickness in a direction perpendicular to the carbon flange; and crossbeams coupling to and extending from the first chamber in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the flanges; and, wherein the first and second chambers are separate and distinct from each other and wherein the first chamber is arranged on a top of the second chamber such that the first chamber and second chamber are formed by a partition, and a maximum thickness of the first carbon structure is different from a maximum thickness of the second carbon structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first carbon structure comprises a first plurality of tubes that couple together with flanges. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first plurality of tubes comprise respective first and second ends and wherein the first plurality of tubes taper from their first ends to their second ends. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first plurality of tubes define a hexagonal shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second carbon structure comprises a second plurality of tubes that couple together with a second flange. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the second plurality of tubes comprise respective first and second ends and wherein the second plurality of tubes taper from their first ends to their second ends. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the second plurality of tubes define a hexagonal shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first carbon structure and the second carbon structure are vertically and horizontally offset. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein vehicle further comprises a first side beam and a second side beam coupled together. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first carbon structure defines a first length and the second carbon structure defines a second length, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first carbon structure defines a first width and the second carbon structure defines a second width, and wherein the first width is less than the second width. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first carbon structure is bonded to the first side beam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second carbon structure is bonded to the second side beam. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first carbon structure comprises a first plurality of tubes and the second carbon structure comprises a second plurality of tubes wherein the first plurality of tubes are parallel with and aligned with the second plurality of tubes. ### Claim 15 A lateral energy absorption system, comprising: a first chamber, wherein a long side of the first chamber extends between a front and a rear of the vehicle and the first chamber is elongated; a second chamber, wherein a long side of the second chamber extends between the front and the rear of the vehicle and the second chamber is elongated; a first carbon structure within the first chamber, wherein the first carbon structure comprises carbon tubes and carbon flanges, wherein the carbon flanges are configured to connect the carbon tubes, wherein the flanges have varying lengths, and wherein the first carbon structure has a varying thickness in a direction perpendicular to the carbon flanges; a second carbon structure within the second chamber, wherein the first and second carbon structures absorb energy from an impact on a side of the vehicle, and wherein the second carbon structure has a varying thickness in a direction perpendicular to the carbon flange; and crossbeams coupling to and extending from the first chamber in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the flanges; and, wherein the first and second chambers are separate and distinct from each other and wherein the first chamber is arranged on a top of the second chamber such that the first chamber and second chamber are formed by a partition and a maximum thickness of the first carbon structure is different from a maximum thickness of the second carbon structure. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the first carbon structure comprises a first plurality of tubes and the second carbon structure comprises a second plurality of tubes wherein the first plurality of tubes are parallel with and aligned with the second plurality of tubes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the first plurality of tubes and the second plurality of tubes define a hexagonal shape. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the first carbon structure defines a first length and the second carbon structure defines a second length, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the first carbon structure defines a first width and the second carbon structure defines a second width, and wherein the first width is less than the second width. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the first carbon structure and the second carbon structure are vertically and horizontally offset.