Energy absorber for front-end vehicle protection
AssigneeNissan North America, Inc.
InventorsAlejandro Enrique Gonzalez, Md Hafizur Rahman, Freddy Miranda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle is disclosed that includes: a grille supporting a functional accessory; a bumper beam that is located (positioned) axially inward of the grille; and a first energy absorber that is connected to the bumper beam. The first energy absorber defines a cavity that is configured to accommodate inward axial displacement of the grille resulting from a low-force impact between the vehicle and an external object to thereby inhibit damage to the functional accessory.
Claims20
A vehicle, comprising:
- a grille supporting a functional accessory;
- a bumper beam located axially inward of the grille;
- and
- a first energy absorber connected to the bumper beam and defining a cavity configured to accommodate inward axial displacement of the grille resulting from a low-force impact between the vehicle and an external object to thereby inhibit damage to the functional accessory.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a grille supporting a functional accessory;
- a bumper beam located axially inward of the grille;
- a first energy absorber connected to the bumper beam, the first energy absorber including:
- a first body having a first density, the first body defining a cavity generally aligned with the functional accessory and configured to receive and accommodate inward axial displacement of the grille resulting from a low-force impact between the vehicle and an external object to thereby inhibit damage to the functional accessory;
- and
- a flange extending axially from the first body;
- and
- a second energy absorber connected to the bumper beam and positioned below the first energy absorber, the second energy absorber including a second body having a second density different than the first density.
A method of protecting a functional accessory supported by a grille in a vehicle during a low-force impact between the vehicle and an external object, the method comprising:
- securing an energy absorber to a bumper beam of the vehicle such that a cavity defined by the energy absorber is positioned to accommodate inward axial displacement of the grille resulting from the low-force impact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.