Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type – Having fluid means within impact means to absorb energy
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-26
2001-06-12
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
Having fluid means within impact means to absorb energy
C188S377000, C280S751000, C293S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244638
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an energy management device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an energy management device useful, inter alia, as a vehicular bumper.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Energy management devices (also known as energy absorbing devices) are known. Such devices can take one of a variety of shapes and forms. Currently, one of the major applications for energy absorbing panels is in use in vehicles, particularly automobiles. Such panels, when used in vehicles, would be of great convenience if they could be included in or substituted for a conventional vehicular bumper.
Conventionally, vehicular bumpers have been constructed with a fascia covering a rigid beam which was connected to the vehicle by two or more suitable rails. During the evolution of vehicular bumpers, it has become conventional to improve energy absorption of the bumper by the use a hydraulic rails. It is also known to construct vehicular bumpers to include one or more fluid containing bladders to improve the energy absorbing capability of the bumper.
As early as the 1960's, it was known to employ a foam energy absorber to cover the rigid beam. The original foam energy absorber included a rigid, high density polyurethane foam. As improvements in vehicular fuel efficiency became desirable, the foam energy absorber was replaced with relatively low density expanded polypropylene foam. Vehicular bumpers comprising foam energy absorbers constructed of semi-rigid, relatively low density expanded polypropylene foam are currently in commercial production.
As is known in the art, most jurisdictions require that vehicular bumpers meet and pass a variety of tests. While the precise tests are jurisdiction-specific, the requirement of having the bumper meet and pass the tests is virtually universal. In the United States all vehicular bumpers are required to meet and pass the standard prescribed by 49 C.F.R. Part 581, including the Preamble to Part 581 (Pre 1-56, inclusive), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This standard, inter alia, serves to limit damage to vehicular bumpers and other vehicle surfaces in low-speed crashes and impacts.
The art is continually in need of energy management devices useful, for example, in vehicular bumpers, which meet and pass the standard set out in 49 C.F.R. Part 581, and possess improved energy absorbing properties. Enhanced energy management properties of the bumper may be useful in effecting the crash pulse of the vehicle and reducing the forces impacting the occupant interior compartment. Such energy management devices have the potential to contribute to satisfying the European Frontal Impact Test (Off-Set) relating to Directive 96/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of Dec. 16, 1996, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The European Frontal Impact Test, which requires 56 kph vehicular impact into a deformable barrier off-set by 40% is being implemented for the purposes of occupant protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel energy management device having improved energy management properties.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel vehicular absorbing device having improved energy management properties.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides an energy management device having an energy absorbing surface, the energy management device comprising a substrate body and at least one permeable insert sheet disposed in the substrate body, the at least one permeable insert sheet having a wall substantially transverse to the energy absorbing surface, the substrate body and the at least one permeable insert sheet being engaged with respect to one another.
In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a vehicular bumper having an energy absorbing surface, the energy management device comprising a substrate body and at least one permeable insert sheet disposed in the substrate body, the at least one permeable insert sheet having a wall substantially transverse to the energy absorbing surface, the substrate body and the at least one permeable insert sheet being engaged with respect to one another.
Thus, an improved energy management device has been discovered. The energy management device comprises a substrate body and at least one permeable insert sheet disposed in the substrate body. As will be developed hereinbelow, the shape and orientation of the sheet may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In these various embodiments, the insert sheet has a wall substantially to the energy absorbing surface of the energy management device. The substrate body and the at least one insert sheet are engaged with respect to one another. This may be achieved by having at least a portion of the substrate body disposed in the permeable portion of the insert sheet thereby “locking” in place the insert sheet. It has been discovered that such a combination of a substrate body and an insert sheet surprisingly and unexpected results in improved energy absorbing properties when compared to the independent energy absorbing properties of the substrate body and the insert sheet.
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Cicone Michael J.
Kuczynski Edward T.
Pedder Dennis H.
Woodbridge Foam Corporation
Zavis Katten Muchin
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