# US 2014/0207340 A1 · Adaptive crash structure for a vehicle and associated vehicle

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- Number: US 2014/0207340 A1
- Document ID: US20140207340A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/158,309
- Filed: 2014-01-17
- Published: 2014-07-24
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-21
- Assignees: Audi AG
- Applicants: Audi AG
- Inventors: Peter Kunsch; Carsten Klinkert; Keith Sharp; Stefan Uhlar
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140207340A1

## CPC

- B60R 21/0134: responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle {, e.g. using radar systems}
- B60R 19/00: Wheel guards; Radiator guards, {e.g. grilles}; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions ({reinforcement elements for side doors B60J5/0412; } mudguards B62D)
- B62D 9/00: Steering deflectable wheels not otherwise provided for (steering positon indicators B62D15/02)
- B60R 2019/007: {Means for adjusting or regulating the crash absorption capacity of the vehicle, e.g. when detecting an impending collision}
- B62D 21/15: having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body (bumpers B60R19/02; shock absorbers in general F16F)
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)

## Abstract

An adaptive crash structure for a vehicle includes a deformation element arranged in a region of a wheel housing of the vehicle, and an interruption system, wherein the deformation element and the interruption system are constructed so as to be able to change from a deactivated state to an activated state, wherein in the deactivated state the deformation element permits movement of a wheel housed in the wheel housing, and wherein in the activated state the deformation element causes the wheel to assume a predetermined position and the interruption system prevents a change of the position of the wheel to be transmitted to a steering wheel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An adaptive crash structure for a vehicle, comprising:
a deformation element arranged in a region of a wheel housing of the vehicle; and
an interruption system, said deformation element and said interruption system constructed so as to be able to change from a deactivated state to an activated state, wherein in the deactivated state the deformation element permits movement of a wheel housed in the wheel housing, and wherein in the activated state the deformation element causes the wheel to assume a predetermined position and the interruption system prevents a change of the position of the wheel to be transmitted to a steering wheel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The adaptive crash structure of claim 1, further comprising at least one pyrotechnic system constructed to ignite in response to a control signal and thereby causing the deformation element and the interruption system to assume the activated state.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The adaptive crash structure of claim 2, wherein the at least one pyrotechnic system includes at least one detonator which is assigned to the interruption system and interrupts at least one mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The adaptive crash structure of claims 1, wherein the deformation element in the activated state forms a deflection group having at least one deflection slant, said least one deflection slant being oriented at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, said wheel being caused to assume the predetermined wheel position and deflecting an entering object in the predetermined direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The adaptive crash structure of claim 4, wherein a surface of the wheel which faces away from the vehicle forms an additional deflection surface of the deflection group.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The adaptive crash structure of claim 1, wherein the interruption system interrupts an operative connection between a chassis sub frame and a lower longitudinal control arm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 5)

The adaptive crash structure of claim 1, 5 wherein the interruption system interrupts an operative connection between a steering linkage and a steering transmission.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The adaptive crash of claims 1, further comprising at least one crash sensor and an analysis and control unit, said analysis and control unit constructed for performing an analysis of signals produced by the at least one crash sensor and for outputting a control signal for activating the deformation element and the interruption system, wherein the analysis and control unit outputs the control signal when the analysis indicates at least one of a laterally offset frontal impact of an external object and a probability of an impact of an external object in a laterally offset front region of the vehicle.

### Claim 9

A vehicle comprising an adaptive crash structure, said adaptive crash structure is comprising a deformation element arranged in a region of a wheel housing, which deformation element in a deactivated state permits a wheel motion, wherein the deformation element in the activated state causes a wheel arranged in the wheel housing to assume a predetermined wheel position, and wherein an interruption system prevents a transmission of a change of the wheel position to a steering wheel