US 2008/0290692 A1 · ENERGY ABSORBING VEHICLE HOOD STOPPER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An energy absorbing stopper assembly for an associated vehicle for absorbing at least a portion of the energy during an associated impact is provided. The associated vehicle includes a pivotally disposed closure and a body member toward which the closure is closable. The closure includes an open position and a closed position. The stopper assembly includes a stopper for supporting a non-hinged end of the closure when the closure is in the closed position. The stopper includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the stopper is in contact with one of the closure or the body member when the closure is in the closed position and is spaced apart therefrom when the closure is in the open position. A base for supporting the second end of the stopper is provided. The base is attached to the other of the closure or the body member. An energy absorbing joint is disposed adjacent the base and the other of the closure or the body member. The energy absorbing joint is substantially resilient below a maximum load value. Wherein the energy absorbing joint deforms and the base, the stopper, and the closure deflect, while absorbing at least a portion of the energy during an associated impact.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An energy absorbing stopper assembly for an associated vehicle for absorbing at least a portion of the energy during an associated impact, the associated vehicle including a pivotally disposed closure and a body member toward which the closure is closable, the closure having an open position and a closed position, the stopper assembly comprising:

a stopper for supporting a non-hinged end of the closure when the closure is in the closed position, the stopper includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the stopper being in contact with one of the closure or the body member when the closure is in the closed position and being spaced apart therefrom when the closure is in the open position;
a base for supporting the second end of the stopper, the base attached to the other of the closure or the body member;
and
an energy absorbing joint disposed adjacent the base and the other of the closure or the body member, the energy absorbing joint being substantially resilient below a maximum load value;
wherein the energy absorbing joint deforms and the base, the stopper, and the closure deflect, while absorbing at least a portion of the energy during an associated impact.

2 more elements

A hood stopper system for an associated vehicle for absorbing at least a portion of an impact energy during a pedestrian hood strike, the associated vehicle including a hood for covering an engine compartment of the associated vehicle, the hood including a hinged end and a free end and the hood having an open position and a closed position, the engine compartment including a horizontal support disposed adjacent the free end of the hood when the hood is in the closed position, the system comprising:

a hood stopper for supporting the free end of the hood when the hood is in the closed position, the hood stopper including a first end and a second end, the first end of the stopper being in contact with one of an underside of the hood or the horizontal support when the hood is in the closed position and being spaced apart therefrom when the hood is in the open position;
a base including a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end of the base being secured to the other of the horizontal support or the underside of the hood via a deformable joint, the second end of the hood stopper being secured to the base for supporting the hood stopper and the free end of the hood;
a break-away energy absorbing adhesive bond disposed adjacent the base and the deformable joint, the adhesive bond having a maximum stress value and being substantially resilient when subject to a hood load below the maximum stress value;
wherein the maximum stress value is exceeded and the adhesive bond ruptures to allow the base, the hood stopper, and the hood to deflect and absorb at least a portion of the impact energy during the pedestrian hood strike.

1 more element

A hood stopper system for an associated vehicle for absorbing at least a portion of an impact energy during a pedestrian hood strike, the associated vehicle including a hood for covering an engine compartment of the associated vehicle, the hood including a hinged end and a free end and the hood having an open position and a closed position, the engine compartment including a support member disposed adjacent the free end of the hood when the hood is in the closed position, the system comprising:

a hood stopper for supporting the free end of the hood when the hood is in the closed position, the hood stopper including a first end and a second end, the first end of the stopper being in contact with one of an underside of the hood of the associated vehicle or the support member when the hood is in the closed position and being spaced apart therefrom when the hood is in the open position;
a plate disposed adjacent the other of the underside of the hood or the support member, the second end of the hood stopper secured to the plate, the plate adapted to support the hood stopper and the free end of the hood;
an energy absorbing region in the plate adjacent the hood stopper, the energy absorbing region having a maximum stress value and being substantially resilient when subject to a hood load below the maximum stress value;
wherein the maximum stress value is exceeded and the energy absorbing region fractures to allow the hood and the hood stopper to deflect and absorb at least an initial portion of the impact energy during the pedestrian hood strike.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Energy absorbing vehicle hood stopper assembly

Life of this patent

Energy absorbing vehicle hood stopper assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22