Cup bumper absorber
AssigneeConcept Analysis Corporation
InventorPatrick M. Glance
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An energy absorbing device is formed of natural or synthetic resin material or composite material, wherein energy absorption is provided by a plurality of cup-shaped cells having a thin-walled construction with a circular cross section. The absorber is useful for automotive bumper impact and also for other applications, including automotive padding and general cushion applications.
Claims35
In a motor vehicle component consisting of one or more members from the group consisting of bumpers and interior components that require impact load energy absorption, the improvement comprising an impact energy absorber positioned on the vehicle component in position to receive the impact load, the impact energy absorber being integrally formed of a material comprising a resilient, moldable plastic resin and comprising a base sheet having a plurality of spaced, inverted cup-shaped energy absorbing cells integrally formed on one side thereof, the cells having a top end positioned away from the base sheet and an open bottom end in the base sheet and having a relatively thin side wall extending downwardly and outwardly between the top and the bottom, the cells having a generally circular cross-section and being resiliently collapsible in an axial direction when subjected to an axial impact load, the base sheet being positioned against the vehicle component and the cup-shaped cells extending away from the vehicle component in position to receive the impact load, the energy absorber being constructed and mounted such that the energy absorption of the energy absorber is attributable substantially exclusively to the resilient collapse of the cell side walls and not to air compression inside the cells.
In a bumper for a motor vehicle having a beam with a side that is exposed to impact loads, the improvement comprising a cup bumper absorber mounted on the side in position to receive impact loads directed at the bumper, the cup bumper absorber being integrally formed of a material including a resilient, moldable plastic resin, the cup bumper absorber including a base sheet positioned against the side of the bumper beam and a plurality of cup-shaped energy absorbing cells integrally formed in the base sheet and extending away from the side of the bumper beam, the cells having a top positioned away from the base sheet, an open bottom in the base sheet, and a downwardly and outwardly tapered side wall extending between the top and bottom, the cells having a generally circular cross section and being resiliently collapsible in an axial direction when subjected to an axial impact load, the energy absorber being constructed and mounted such that the energy absorption of the energy absorber is attributable substantially exclusively to the resilient collapse of the cell side walls and not to air compression inside the cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.