Vehicle impact energy absorber
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, James Chih Cheng
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An impact absorbing device includes a plate and a panel having a panel thickness. An intermediate portion has a portion thickness and extends between the plate and the panel. The intermediate portion defines a chamber between the plate and the panel. A port is in communication with the chamber. The portion thickness is less than the panel thickness. The impact absorbing device is movable to a deployed position to contact an occupant during a collision. Since the portion thickness is less than the panel thickness, the intermediate portion expands more quickly, providing an impact surface for the occupant.
Claims20
An impact absorbing assembly comprising:
- an instrument panel having a frame and a cover;
- an impact absorbing device having a plate connected to the frame, a panel adjacent to the cover, and an intermediate portion connecting the plate and the panel;
- and
- an actuator configured to inflate the impact absorbing device;
- wherein the panel has a panel thickness and the intermediate portion has a portion thickness less than the panel thickness;
- and
- wherein the panel and the intermediate portion are integral.
An impact absorbing device comprising:
- a plate;
- a panel having a panel thickness;
- an intermediate portion having a portion thickness and extending between the plate and the panel and defining a chamber between the plate and the panel;
- and
- a port in communication with the chamber;
- wherein the portion thickness is less than the panel thickness;
- and
- wherein the panel and the intermediate portion are integral.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.