# US 11,299,116 B2 · Variable back beam and method of allowing inflator to vary variable back beam in case of collision > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,299,116 B2 - Document ID: US11299116B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/842,345 - Filed: 2020-04-07 - Published: 2021-03-11 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-06 - Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Motors Corporation - Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Motors Corporation - Inventors: Seung-Kyu Kang; Dae-Hyun Choi; Sung-Ung Ryu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299116B2 ## CPC - B60R 19/205: {inflatable in the direction of an obstacle upon impending impact, e.g. using air bags} - B62D 21/152: {Front or rear frames} - B62D 27/065: {using screwthread (connection of crossbeam to A- pillars B62D25/147; mounting load bearing surfaces B62D21/09; securing mudguards B62D25/163; connections for synthetic parts B62D29/048)} - B60R 2019/1806: {Structural beams therefor, e.g. shock-absorbing} - B60R 2019/186: {Additional energy absorbing means supported on bumber beams, e.g. cellular structures or material} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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 variable back beam and a method of allowing an inflator to vary the variable back beam in case of collision. The variable back beam includes a main beam connected to a front end module carrier, an inner beam inserted into each of both sides of the main beam, and an operation member operable to move the inner beam in a vehicle-width direction at the time of left front or right front collision of the vehicle. Since the back beam is extended in length at the time of collision, the impact area or shock absorption area of the back beam can be increased, the impact on the back beam, a crush box, and a collision object can be reduced, and particularly, it is possible to reduce the crush length of the left or right end of the back beam. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A variable back beam for a vehicle, the variable back beam comprising: a beam of which a length increases in a width direction of the vehicle at a time of left front or right front collision of the vehicle; and an operation member configured to generate an external force to increase the length of the beam, wherein the beam comprises: a main beam connected to a front end module carrier of the vehicle; and an inner beam inserted into each of both sides of the main beam, and wherein the operation member is operable to move the inner beam to increase a protruding length of the inner beam from the main beam, and wherein: the inner beam comprises a non-exposed part inserted into the main beam and an exposed part exposed out of the main beam, and the inner beam is bent at a boundary between the non-exposed part and the exposed part. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The variable back beam of claim 1, wherein: the main beam includes an insertion opening formed on each of two surfaces thereof perpendicular to a ground so that the inside of the main beam is open through the insertion opening to the outside; and the operation member is mounted inside the main beam through the insertion opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The variable back beam of claim 2, wherein: the main beam includes a fixing hole formed on one surface thereof parallel to the ground so that a bolt fastened to the operation member passes through the fixing hole; and the main beam includes a reinforcement panel formed on a front surface of the main beam to cover the insertion opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The variable back beam of claim 1, wherein a crush box is attached perpendicularly to the main beam on each of both sides of the main beam. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The variable back beam of claim 1, wherein: a lubricant is applied on surfaces of the non-exposed part; and the non-exposed part is formed with a connector connected to the operation member at an end of the non-exposed part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The variable back beam of claim 5, wherein the non-exposed part includes at least one groove formed on the surface of the non-exposed part for collection of the lubricant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The variable back beam of claim 5, wherein the connector comprises: a mounting plate formed parallel to a ground inside the end of the non-exposed part; and an assembly hole formed on a side of the non-exposed part so as to be parallel to the mounting plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The variable back beam of claim 1, wherein the operation member comprises: a push bracket fastened to the inner beam; an inflator configured to move the push bracket at a time of collision; and a trigger switch for operating the inflator at the time of collision. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The variable back beam of claim 8, wherein the push bracket comprises: a rod protruding from the inflator and having a fastening port fastened to a connector provided in the inner beam; and a push bracket head connected to an end of the rod and moving inside the inflator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The variable back beam of claim 8, wherein: the push bracket is inserted into each of both longitudinal sides of the inflator; the inflator is provided, at the center thereof, with powder to move the push bracket by explosion at the time of collision; and the inflator is provided with a squib for exploding the powder in response to an external signal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The variable back beam of claim 10, wherein: the inflator comprises a cylinder body into which the end of the push bracket is inserted; and the cylinder body has a vent hole for discharge of gas generated during explosion of the powder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The variable back beam of claim 10, wherein: an energy absorber is mounted in front of the main beam; the trigger switch comprises a cable extending from the squib to the energy absorber and a switch part connected to the cable while having one or more piezoelectric elements; and the cable is connected to a power source of the vehicle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The variable back beam of claim 12, wherein: the switch part is in the form of a bar having a predetermined length; the one or more piezoelectric elements are mounted to the switch part while being spaced at a distance; and the switch part is mounted to a slit formed on an upper surface of the energy absorber. ### Claim 14 A method of allowing an inflator to vary a variable back beam for a vehicle in case of collision with an object, the method comprising the steps of: sensing a collision of a left front or right front of the vehicle with the object; communicating between a power source of the vehicle and a squib by a trigger switch provided in an energy absorber; exploding powder filled in an inflator by electric power applied to the squib; and increasing a length of a beam positioned behind the energy absorber in a width direction of the vehicle by inflation pressure generated in the inflator; wherein the beam comprises a main beam connected to a crush box and an inner beam inserted into each of both sides of the main beam, and wherein: the inner beam comprises a non-exposed part inserted into the main beam and an exposed part exposed out of the main beam, and the inner beam is bent at a boundary between the non-exposed part and the exposed part. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein: in the step of increasing a length of a beam positioned behind the energy absorber in a width direction of the vehicle by inflation pressure generated in the inflator, the inner beam is moved by the inflation pressure such that a protruding length of the inner beam from the main beam increases. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein in the step of increasing a length of a beam positioned behind the energy absorber in a width direction of the vehicle by inflation pressure generated in the inflator, gas generated in the inflator is discharged through a vent hole to an outside. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein: the trigger switch comprises two piezoelectric elements; and in the step of communicating between a power source of the vehicle and a squib by a trigger switch, the electric power of the vehicle is applied to the squib when a load is applied to the two piezoelectric elements.