# US 9,434,334 B2 · Reinforced plastic energy absorber system and methods of making the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,334 B2 - Document ID: US9434334B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/731,436 - Filed: 2015-06-05 - Published: 2015-09-24 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-29 - Assignees: Sabic Global Technologies B.V. - Applicants: SABIC Global Technologies B.V. - Inventors: Sudhakar Ramamoorthy Marur; Dhanendra Kumar Nagwanshi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434334B2 ## CPC - B60R 19/18: {characterised by the cross-section;} Means within the bumper to absorb impact - B60R 19/03: characterised by material, e.g. composite (B60R19/18 takes precedence) - B60R 19/34: destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type - F16F 7/003: {One-shot shock absorbers (using plastic deformation of members, e.g. using sacrificial, fibre-reinforced composite members F16F7/12)} - F16F 7/124: {characterised by their special construction from fibre-reinforced plastics} - B60R 2019/1853: {of reinforced plastic material} - B60R 2019/186: {Additional energy absorbing means supported on bumber beams, e.g. cellular structures or material} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract In one embodiment, a corner energy absorber, comprises: a plurality of layers with a plurality of ribs connecting the layers, wherein the layers and ribs comprise a first thermoplastic material; a composite insert comprising a second plastic material and reinforcement, wherein the second plastic material is different than the first thermoplastic material, and wherein the composite insert is disposed in the layers, the ribs, or both; an extension configured to extend into the end of a bumper beam. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A corner energy absorber, comprising: a plurality of layers with a plurality of ribs connecting the layers, wherein the layers and ribs comprise a first thermoplastic material; a composite insert comprising a second plastic material and reinforcement, wherein the second plastic material is different than the first thermoplastic material, and wherein the composite insert is disposed in the layers, the ribs, or both; an extension configured to extend into the end of a bumper beam. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement comprises continuous fibers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is selected from the group consisting of glass, carbon, titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, talc, mica, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The energy absorber of claim 3, wherein the reinforcement comprises carbon fibers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the insert has a density of 1,450 kg/m3 to 1,650 kg/m3. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The energy absorber of claim 5, wherein the insert has a density of 1,200 kg/m3 to 1,700 kg/m3. ### Claim 7 A vehicle, comprising: a bumper beam; and an energy absorber extending from an end of the bumper beam; wherein the energy absorber comprises a number of horizontal layers connected by a number of vertically extending ribs, and a composite insert disposed at the layers and/or the ribs; wherein the insert comprises a thermoplastic material and a reinforcement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a second energy absorber extending from another end of the bumper beam. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising crush lobes extending across the bumper beam between the energy absorber and the second energy absorber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the energy absorber further comprises an extension that extends into the end of the bumper beam. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the energy absorber has an extension that is located within an end of the bumper beam, and wherein the insert is located at a rib external and adjacent to the bumper beam. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the reinforcement comprises fibers, flakes, beads, particles, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising an underbar comprising a second extension configured to connect the underbar to the bumper beam and/or to the energy absorber assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the underbar further comprises an insert located on the underbar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the horizontal layers and vertically extending ribs are formed from a thermoplastic material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a fascia covering the energy absorber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the second plastic material comprises a thermoset. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The energy absorber of claim 17, wherein the thermoset is epoxy. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises polybutylene terephthalate and fibers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises polycarbonate and ceramic filler. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the composite insert comprises at least one of polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyamide. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The energy absorber of claim 21, wherein the composite insert comprises continuous fibers. ### Claim 23 (depends on 2) The energy absorber of claim 2, wherein the composite insert comprises polypropylene. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises at least one of polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyamide. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises polypropylene.