Front structure in a vehicle
AssigneeVolvo Car Corporation
InventorsJohnny K. Larsson, Clas Jernstrom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Front structure in a vehicle, comprising a pair of spaced longitudinal box-shaped lateral beams (2), to which explosive charges (10) are fixed. With the aid of retardation sensors (20), a control unit (21) and detonators (22), the explosive charges are triggered in a collision after a certain crumpling deformation distance of the front portion of the beams to weaken the beams and prevent buckling and thus extend the crumpling deformation distance to the beam section lying therebehind. The controlled unit is arranged to compare the signals from the retardation sensors and activate the detonators only if the difference between the signals is below a predetermined value indicating relatively symmetrical frontal collision.
Claims7
Frontal structure in a vehicle, comprising:
- a pair of laterally spaced beams, each comprising a sheet metal box element having a greater length than both width and height, and having a portion which is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle;
- and
- sensor for sensing the retardation of the vehicle during a collision and, as a function thereof, differently changing the rigidity of the beam in its longitudinal direction based on the retardation of the vehicle, wherein said means are arranged to reduce the rigidity of the beam in its longitudinal direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.