Elastically deformable energy management assembly and method of managing energy absorption
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsSteven E. Morris, Jennifer P. Lawall, Randy A. Johnson
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Abstract
An elastically deformable energy management assembly includes a first component. Also included is at least one protrusion extending from the first component, the at least one protrusion having an outer surface. Further included is a second component comprising at least one aperture defined by an aperture wall, the aperture wall in slideable engagement with the outer surface of the at least one protrusion, wherein at least one of the protrusion and the aperture wall comprises an elastically deformable material.
Claims18
An elastically deformable energy management assembly comprising:
- a first component;
- at least one protrusion extending from the first component in a first direction, the at least one protrusion having an outer surface, the protrusion formed of an elastically deformable material;
- a second component comprising at least one aperture defined by an aperture wall, the aperture wall in slideable engagement with the outer surface of the at least one protrusion, the aperture comprising a slot having a first closed end and a second closed end, the protrusion slideable within the slot in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the at least one protrusion;
- and
- a detent of the slot configured to retain the protrusion in an unloaded condition up to a predetermined force, the detent having a width greater than the width of the remainder of the slot, the protrusion moveable into the remainder of the slot upon application of a force in excess of the predetermined force.
A method of managing energy absorption with an elastically deformable energy management assembly comprising:
- engaging an outer surface of a protrusion of a first component with an aperture wall of a second component upon insertion of the protrusion in a first direction into an aperture defined by the aperture wall, the aperture comprising a slot and the protrusion slideable within the slot in a direction perpendicular to the first direction;
- elastically deforming the protrusion upon engagement with the second component;
- retaining the protrusion within a detent of the slot in an unloaded condition, the detent having a width greater than the width of the remainder of the slot;
- and
- transferring energy between the protrusion and the aperture wall during imposition of a load condition on the elastically deformable energy management assembly.
An energy management assembly for a vehicle zone comprising:
- a potential contact zone component;
- at least one protrusion extending from the potential contact zone component in a first direction, the at least one protrusion having an outer surface, the protrusion formed of an elastically deformable material;
- and
- a mated component comprising at least one aperture defined by an aperture wall, the aperture wall in slideable engagement with the outer surface of the at least one protrusion, the aperture comprising a slot having a first closed end and a second closed end, the protrusion slideable within the slot in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the at least one protrusion;
- and
- a detent of the slot configured to retain the protrusion in an unloaded condition up to a predetermined force, the detent having a width greater than the width of the remainder of the slot, the protrusion moveable into the remainder of the slot upon application of a force in excess of the predetermined force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.