Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type – Horizontally movable to plural operative positions other...
Patent
1998-10-29
1999-10-19
Hoge, Gary C.
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
Horizontally movable to plural operative positions other...
293118, B60R 1940
Patent
active
059675730
ABSTRACT:
A motor vehicle bumper energy absorber including an outer tube on a body of the motor vehicle, an inner tube and a bumper bar supported on the outer tube for linear translation between a retracted position and an extended position, an actuator for translating the inner tube and bumper bar, and a resistance medium for converting into work a fraction of the kinetic energy of an impact on the bumper bar. The actuator includes a shuttle on the inner tube, an actuator rod connected to the shuttle, and a plurality of spheres in wedge-shaped grooves in the inner tube. The actuator rod pushes the shuttle against the inner tube to translate the bumper bar from its retracted to its extended position. An impact on the bumper bar in its extended position causes the spheres to wedge against the outer tube. The actuator rod pulls the shuttle against the inner tube to translate the bumper from its extended position to its retracted position while fingers on the shuttle engage the spheres and prevent wedging of the latter against the outer tube. The wedged spheres constitute a resistance medium by plowing tracks in the outer tube.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3346292 (1967-10-01), Lundman
patent: 3355208 (1967-11-01), Brock
patent: 3947061 (1976-03-01), Ellis
patent: 4518183 (1985-05-01), Lee
patent: 5096242 (1992-03-01), Chin-Hun
patent: 5370429 (1994-12-01), Reuber et al.
Jawad, "Intelligent Hydraulic Bumper for Frontal Collision Mitigation", AMD vol. 218; Crashworthiness and Occupant Protection in Transportation System, ASME 1996, pp. 181-189.
General Motors Corporation
Hoge Gary C.
Sedlar Jeffrey A.
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