Device for Reinforcing a Hallow Motor Vehicle Bodywork Element, and a Corresponding Method
AssigneeAutoliv Development AB
InventorsChristian Perotto, Francaise Perotto, Nicolas Dubois
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides in particular a device for reinforcing a hollow motor vehicle bodywork element (1) of closed right section, the device being characterized by the fact that said element (1) has means (2; 3; 5) suitable for subjecting its inside space (E) to a shock wave or pressure wave on detecting an impact, such that the energy generated by said wave is sufficient to deform the element by increasing its section.
Claims16
1-14. (canceled)
An arrangement for reinforcing a hollow structural element of a motor vehicle in combination with the structural element, the structural element having a closed right section defining an inside space, the arrangement including means for generating an energy wave upon detecting of a vehicle impact, the energy wave adapted to deform the structural element by increasing a sectional area of the element.
A method of deforming a hollow motor vehicle bodywork element having a closed right section, so as to increase an energy absorbing capacity of the element during an impact, the method comprising:
- detecting the impact;
- subjecting an inside space of the element to an energy wave;
- and
- deforming the element with energy generated by the energy wave to increase a section of the element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.