Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved bumper construction for an automotive vehicle.The vehicle has a plurality of bumper mounting stays and a body panel adjacent the stays.The bumper construction comprises a thin-walled plastic bumper, a reinforcement member mounted to the bumper at an intermediate section thereof adjacent the body panel and a spring member interposed between the reinforcement member and the vehicle body panel. The reinforcement member and the intermediate section of the bumper are adapted to define a closed bumper configuration. The spring member is operatively connected to the reinforcement member and the vehicle body panel such that the intermediate section of the bumper is supported through the spring member by the body panel. The spring member is rigid in the vertical direction to resist vertical movement of the bumper relative to the vehicle body and is resiliently deformable in the horizontal direction to yieldingly resist the horizontal movement of the intermediate section of the bumper toward the vehicle body panel.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for operating a seat-occupant restraining device in response to collision of a vehicle, comprising a front bumper on the vehicle adapted for receiving impact in the course of a collision and supported by a damper which opposes rearward displacement of the bumper. The damping is a function of the change of velocity of the vehicle during the collision and is used to displace a normally stationary part of the damper when the collision force exceeds a predetermined value. The displacement of the stationary part of the damper serves to close a switch to actuate the seat-occupant restraining device. The switch can be an acceleration detection switch in which case the stationary part is supported by the vehicle body by a deformable structure or the switch can be made as a deformable unit which undergoes deformation by the application of force thereto from the stationary part of the damper.
Abstract:
A shock-absorbing device, such as a vehicle fender, comprises an assembly of interconnected elastomeric cells. The cells are arranged to extend at right angles to the forces to be absorbed and have a polygonal cross-section. The cells are formed so that, in absorbing forces, the device is initially resiliently deformed, then deformed by buckling of the cell walls and finally compressed.
Abstract:
A shock-absorber constructed as elastomer hollow spring which is arranged between a vehicle bumper and a fixed vehicle part and which is supported thereat under prestress; the shock absorber at its end near the vehicle includes a frame-like enclosure whose inner area abuts at the shock absorber and whose outer area abuts at the inner sides of the sections of the bumper that are directed toward the vehicle.
Abstract:
An energy absorber unit including a cylinder, liquid in the cylinder, a piston for movement into the cylinder for providing a liquid energy absorbing capability, and relatively movable parts associated with the cylinder and having frictional engagement for additionally providing a dry energy absorbing capability. An energy absorbing unit including a tubular cylinder, a first tubular member slidable on the cylinder for carrying a force receiving member, and a second tubular member mounted on the first tubular member for mounting the first tubular member on a supporting member. An energy management system for a vehicle having a frame, an engine mounted on the frame and a bumper, including a first energy absorber unit mounted between the engine and the bumper and a plurality of second energy absorber units mounted between the bumper and the frame.
Abstract:
A vehicle bumper arrangement for vehicles with longitudinal structural members has two oppositely directed stepped boxes at the end of each longitudinal member. A bumper bar is attached to the outermost box by a bumper extension piece or tube. The stepped boxes are designed to deform in a predetermined manner during a collision in order to absorb the impact forces.
Abstract:
An automobile bumper assembly having a plurality of hollow tubular elastomer members, each having opposite ends connected to an automobile body and a fender rod, respectively. The overall cross sectional area of the elastomer member is 1.44 to 4.0 times that of the hollow space thereof, taken at right angles to the longitudinal center line of the elastomer member. The elastomeric material of the elastomer member has a hardness of 63* to 104*.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a hydraulic energy absorbing bumper system for vehicles that includes a bumper with two variable stroke hydraulic buffers affixed to the ends. Both the stroke and the resistance of the buffers vary in response to the impact received by the bumper, however the resistance presented by either buffer during any given stroke is constant throughout the length of the stroke. Torsion hinges coupling the buffers to the bumper allow the buffers to stroke unevenly during oblique impact yet remain parallel. The bumpers are hydraulically interconnected so that the total energy absorbed during uneven stroking in response to the oblique impact is the same as the total energy absorbed during a normal impact of the same velocity.
Abstract:
An absorbing damper constructed of a plurality of absorbing members, a movable bumper and fixed bumpers, wherein the movable bumper retreats and absorbs collision energy of a vehicle. The movable bumper is so arranged that it can advance and retreat within a space defined by the floor plate of the body of the car.
Abstract:
An impact absorbing bumper support adapted for supporting a bumper of an automotive vehicle, which bumper support has a rearward end portion secured to the frame structure of the vehicle body and a forward end portion secured to the bumper. The bumper stay also has a U-shaped portion which is elastically deformable for absorbing the energy of an impact force resulting from a collision encountered by the automotive vehicle for thereby satisfactorily alleviating the magnitude of the impact force exerted on a vehicle occupant and the vehicle body.