Panel assembly for a vehicle

A panel assembly for a vehicle door, comprising:

• a trim panel having a first impact area and a second impact area;
• a first plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array;
• a first energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the first impact area of the trim panel, the first energy absorbing structure having a first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a second energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the second impact area of the trim panel, the second energy absorbing structure having a second predetermined range of energy absorption that is greater than the first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a second plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array, wherein the second plurality of energy absorbing structures is disposed below the first plurality of energy absorbing structures with respect to the vehicle door;
• a fourth energy absorbing structure of the second plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the first impact area of the trim panel, the fourth energy absorbing structure having a fourth predetermined range of energy absorption;
• and
• a fifth energy absorbing structure of the second plurality of energy absorbing structures having a fifth predetermined range of energy absorption that is greater than the fourth predetermined range of energy absorption.

A panel assembly for a vehicle door, comprising:

• a trim panel having a first impact area and a second impact area;
• a first plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array;
• a first energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the first impact area of the trim panel, the first energy absorbing structure having a first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a second energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the second impact area of the trim panel, the second energy absorbing structure having a second predetermined range of energy absorption that is greater than the first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• at least one energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures having a lateral wall having a generally linear peripheral edge;
• and
• a notch provided on the peripheral edge at a location selected to provide a predetermined deformation characteristic.

A panel assembly for a vehicle door, comprising:

• a trim panel having a first impact area and a second impact area;
• a first plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array;
• a first energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the first impact area of the trim panel, the first energy absorbing structure having a first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a second energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the second impact area of the trim panel, the second energy absorbing structure having a second predetermined range of energy absorption that is greater than the first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• and
• at least one energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures having a top surface for engaging the vehicle door and at least one substantially planar side wall, wherein the top surface and the side wall are connected at a radiused corner.

A panel assembly for a vehicle door, comprising:

• a trim panel having a first impact area and a second impact area;
• a first plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array;
• a first energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the first impact area of the trim panel, the first energy absorbing structure having a first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a second energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the second impact area of the trim panel, the second energy absorbing structure having a second predetermined range of energy absorption that is greater than the first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• and
• at least one energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures having a top surface for engaging the vehicle door and at least one wire clip provided on the top surface.

A panel assembly for a vehicle door, comprising:

• a trim panel having a first impact area and a second impact area;
• a first plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array;
• a first energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the first impact area of the trim panel, the first energy absorbing structure having a first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a second energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the second impact area of the trim panel, the second energy absorbing structure having a second predetermined range of energy absorption that is greater than the first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a base panel provided between a pair of adjacent energy absorbing structures of the plurality of energy absorbing structures;
• and
• a fastener that connects the base panel to the trim panel.

A panel assembly for a vehicle door, comprising:

• a trim panel having a first impact area and a second impact area;
• a first plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array;
• a first energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the first impact area of the trim panel, the first energy absorbing structure having a first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a second energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the second impact area of the trim panel, the second energy absorbing structure having a second predetermined range of energy absorption that is greater than the first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• and
• each energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures having a contoured engagement surface formed thereon, wherein at least a portion of the contoured engagement surface complementarily engages the vehicle door in a normal operating condition of the vehicle.

A panel assembly for a vehicle door, comprising;

• a trim panel having a first impact area and a second impact area;
• a plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array, each energy absorbing structure having a base end fixed to the trim panel and an outboard end adapted to engage the vehicle door;
• a first energy absorbing structure of the plurality of energy absorbing structures adapted to engage the first impact area of the trim panel, the first energy absorbing structure having at least one weakening structure configured and sized to provide a first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a second energy absorbing structure of the plurality that provides a second predetermined range of energy absorption that is greater than the first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• a base panel provided between a pair of adjacent energy absorbing structures of the plurality of energy absorbing structures;
• and
• a fastener that connects the base panel to the trim panel.

A panel assembly for a vehicle door, comprising:

• a trim panel coupled to the door and having at least a portion thereof that is spaced from the vehicle door, the trim panel having a first impact area and a second impact area;
• a plurality of energy absorbing structures arranged in an array between the trim panel and the vehicle door, each energy absorbing structure having a base end and an outboard end and at least one sidewall therebetween, the base end fixed to the trim panel, the outboard end configured to engage the vehicle door, and the at least one sidewall including a structure that is sized and configured so that the energy absorbing structure has a predetermined range of energy absorption against the occupant during a side-impact collision;
• at least a first energy absorbing structure of the plurality of energy absorbing structures includes a weakening structure that is sized and configured to provide a first predetermined range of energy absorption within the first impact area;
• at least a second energy absorbing structure of the plurality of energy absorbing structures is configured to provide a second predetermined range of energy absorption within the second impact area that is greater than the first predetermined range of energy absorption;
• and
• at least one energy absorbing structure of the first plurality of energy absorbing structures having a top surface for engaging the vehicle door and at least one substantially planar side wall, wherein the top surface and the side wall are connected at a radiused corner.