# US 8,770,637 B2 · Module for absorbing energy

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- Number: US 8,770,637 B2
- Document ID: US8770637B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/177,893
- Filed: 2011-07-07
- Published: 2012-01-12
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2010-07-08
- Assignees: BASF SE
- Applicants: Heiko Hess; Joachim Ruch; Jan Kurt Walter Sandler; Andreas Wuest; Helge Weiler
- Inventors: Heiko Hess; Joachim Ruch; Jan Kurt Walter Sandler; Andreas Wuest; Helge Weiler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770637B2

## CPC

- B32B 7/022: Mechanical properties
- B32B 5/024: {Woven fabric}
- B32B 5/18: characterised by features of a layer {of} foamed material
- B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
- B32B 27/065: {of foam}
- B32B 27/285: {comprising polyethers}
- B32B 27/302: {comprising aromatic vinyl (co)polymers, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers}
- B32B 27/308: {comprising acrylic (co)polymers}
- B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)}
- B32B 27/34: comprising polyamides
- B32B 27/36: comprising polyesters
- B32B 2262/0261: Polyamide fibres
- B32B 2262/0269: Aromatic polyamide fibres
- B32B 2262/101: Glass fibres
- B32B 2262/103: Metal fibres
- B32B 2262/106: Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres
- B32B 2266/0221: Vinyl resin
- B32B 2266/0228: Aromatic vinyl resin, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers
- B32B 2266/0242: Acrylic resin
- B32B 2266/025: Polyolefin
- B32B 2266/0257: Polyamide
- B32B 2266/0264: Polyester
- B32B 2266/0278: Polyurethane
- B32B 2270/00: Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers
- B32B 2307/558: Impact strength, toughness
- B32B 2307/56: Damping, energy absorption
- B32B 2307/72: Density
- Y10T 428/24992: Density or compression of components
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The invention relates to a module for absorbing energy from an impact to which the module (3) has been subjected, via deformation, comprising a core (5) made of a polymer foam with a density of at most 0.2 g/cm3 and with a compressive modulus of elasticity of at most 200 MPa measured to DIN EN 826, wherein the core (5) has an at least to some extent enclosing shell (7) made of a polymer material, and/or comprises an insert (15) made of a polymer material, where the density of the polymer material of the shell (7) and/or of the insert (15) is at most 2.0 g/cm3 and its tensile modulus of elasticity is at least 700 MPa, measured to DIN EN ISO 527.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A module for absorbing energy from an impact to which the module has been subjected, via deformation, comprising a core made of a polymer foam with a density of at most 0.2 g/cm3 and with a compressive modulus of elasticity of at most 200 MPa measured to DIN EN 826, wherein the core comprises an insert made of a polymer material and is formed of cylinder segments respectively oriented in opposite direction, wherein respectively two cylinder segments intersect or where respectively short sections of the cylinder segments are provided, respectively arranged in opposite orientation alongside one other in the polymer foam of the core, where the density of the polymer material of the insert is at most 2.0 g/cm3 and its tensile modulus of elasticity is at least 700 MPa, measured to DIN EN ISO 527.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the polymer foam comprises a thermoplastic matrix or a thermoset matrix.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

The module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer foam is composed of one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of a styrene (co)polymer, a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyether, a polyacrylate, a polyacetal, a polyamide, a polyurethane and a polymer having a vinyl group.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the polymer foam is a molded foam.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the polymer material of the insert is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyamide, a polyether, a polyacrylate, a polyolefin, a polyacetal, a polymer composed of monomers comprising vinyl groups, a styrene (co)polymer, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the polymer material of the insert has fiber-reinforcement.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the insert has been adhesive-bonded to, or welded to, the core.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the insert has been interlock-bonded to the core.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the insert has fillets oriented at an angle smaller than 90° with respect to the direction from which the impact acts.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The module according to claim 9, wherein transverse fillets connect adjacent fillets of the insert to one another.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the module is an absorber structure to protect pedestrians and has been arranged between a transverse member and bumper of a motor vehicle.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, comprising an enclosing shell comprising a polymer material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

the module according to claim 12, wherein the density of the polymer material of the shell is at most 2.0 g/cm3 and its tensile modulus of elasticity is at least 700 MPa, measured to DIN EN ISO 527.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The module according to claim 12, wherein the polymer material of the shell and/or of the insert is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyamide, a polyether, a polyacrylate, a polyolefin, a polyacetal, a polymer composed of monomers comprising vinyl groups, a styrene (co)polymer, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The module according to claim 12, wherein the polymer material of the shell and/or of the insert has fiber-reinforcement.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The module according to claim 12, wherein the insert and/or the shell has been adhesive-bonded to, or welded to, the core.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The module according to claim 12, wherein the insert and/or the shell has been interlock-bonded to the core.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The module according to claim 12, wherein the shell encloses the core to some extent or completely.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The module according to claim 1, wherein the insert has a cross section which changes in the direction of the effective force to achieve appropriate adaptation of the insert in such a way that failure leads to an approximately ideal force/displacement curve.