Elastically Deformable Air Inlets and Vehicles Incorporating The Same
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorChad A. Barnes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Elastically deformable air inlets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an air inlet includes a first portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a second portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface and including at least one deformation zone. The first portion and the second portion define a hollow space. The air inlet also includes at least one support member including a first end and a second end that extends from the interior surface of the first portion toward the interior surface of the second portion. The second end of the support member contacts the deformation zone, wherein when an external force is applied to the air inlet, the second end of the support member extends through the deformation zone.
Claims20
An air inlet comprising:
- a first portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a second portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the second portion comprising at least one deformation zone, wherein the first portion and the second portion define a hollow space;
- and
- at least one support member comprising a first end and a second end, the at least one support member extending from the interior surface of the first portion and toward the interior surface of the second portion such that the second end of the at least one support member contacts the at least one deformation zone, wherein when an external force is applied to the air inlet, the second end of the at least one support member extends through the at least one deformation zone.
An air inlet comprising:
- a first portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a second portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the second portion comprising at least one raised feature extending from the interior surface and comprising an edge, wherein the first portion and the second portion define a hollow space;
- and
- at least one support member comprising a first end and a second end, the at least one support member extending from the interior surface of the first portion and toward the interior surface of the second portion such that the second end of the at least one support member is positioned against the edge of the at least one raised feature, wherein when an external force is applied to the air inlet, the second end of the at least one support member is deflected away from the edge of the at least one raised feature.
A vehicle comprising:
- an engine component;
- a hood;
- and
- an air inlet disposed between the engine component and the hood, the air inlet comprising:
- a first portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a second portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the second portion comprising at least one deformation zone, wherein the first portion and the second portion define a hollow space;
- and
- at least one support member comprising a first end and a second end, the at least one support member extending from the interior surface of the first portion and toward the interior surface of the second portion such that the second end of the at least one support member contacts the at least one deformation zone of the second portion, wherein when an external force is applied to the air inlet, the second end of the at least one support member extends through the at least one deformation zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.