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US 2009/0256384 A1Published application
Impact Absorbing Armrest for a Motor Vehicle
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorsLarry Gene Hughes, JR., Ryan Van Voorhis, Akira Miyazaki, Craig Allen Markusic, Christopher Mampe, Takayuki Sugama, Peter J. Cardimen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A collision absorption system including a collapsing armrest is disclosed. The armrest is configured to provide support for vertical loading during use. During a side impact collision, the armrest is configured to deform or collapse in a lateral direction.
Claims20
An armrest for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a support member attached to a fixed portion of the motor vehicle and configured to provide vertical support for the armrest under a vertical load applied by an arm of an occupant;
- the support member including a plurality of grooves extending in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a lateral direction, the lateral direction being a direction between an occupant and the fixed portion of the motor vehicle;
- the support member further including a plurality of channels extending in a direction different from the direction perpendicular to the lateral direction;
- and
- wherein the plurality of channels have an alternating configuration, and
- at least one of the plurality of grooves is closed on either an upper surface of the support member or a lower surface of the support member.
3 more elements
An armrest for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a support member attached to a fixed portion of the motor vehicle and configured to provide vertical support for the armrest under a vertical load applied by an arm of an occupant;
- the support member including a plurality of grooves extending in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a lateral direction, the lateral direction being a direction between an occupant and the fixed portion of the motor vehicle;
- the support member further including a plurality of channels extending in a direction different from the direction perpendicular to the lateral direction;
- and
- wherein the plurality of channels are configured to intersect with the plurality of grooves, and
- at least one of the channels intersects at least one groove such that it extends out from both sides of the groove.
3 more elements
An armrest for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a support member attached to a fixed portion of the motor vehicle and configured to provide vertical support for the armrest under a vertical load applied by an arm of an occupant;
- the support member including a substantially flat support portion and a rib projecting away from the substantially flat support portion;
- the rib extending in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a lateral direction, the lateral direction being a direction between an occupant and the fixed portion of the motor vehicle;
- and
- wherein the rib is configured to substantially reinforce the support member in a vertical direction and wherein the rib is configured to provide lateral deformation when a lateral load is applied to the arm rest,
- wherein the rib is disposed below the substantially flat support portion, and
- the rib includes a hollow cavity that extends through a substantial majority of the rib in the direction perpendicular to the lateral direction.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.