Energy absorbing element for vehicle structure

A vehicle side structure comprising:

• an outer side surface and an inner side surface disposed in spaced relationship with one another to define a side structure cavity;
• said inner side surface defining at least one expansion hole;
• and
• at least one energy absorption structure housed within said side structure cavity and increasing in cross-sectional profile from a second absorption end nested within said expansion hole to a first absorption end secured to said outer side surface for being pushed through and radially deforming said expansion hole during a side impact to absorb additional energy.

A vehicle structure comprising:

• an outer surface and an inner surface disposed in spaced relationship with one another to define a structure cavity;
• said inner surface defining at least one expansion hole;
• and
• an energy absorption structure housed within said structure cavity and increasing in cross-sectional profile from a second absorption end nested within said expansion hole to a first absorption end secured to said outer surface for being pushed through and radially deforming said expansion hole during an impact to absorb additional energy.