Energy-absorbing apparatus
View Patent ↗In one example, an apparatus includes a casing configured to be coupled to a frame of a vehicle at a first end of the casing. The casing comprises friable foam having a first stiffness. The apparatus further includes a void within the casing defined by (i) an inner wall of the casing and (ii) an opening at a second end of the casing. The apparatus further includes an insert positioned within the void, the insert comprising a material having a second stiffness that is different from the first stiffness.
1. An apparatus comprising:
an inner casing configured to be coupled to a frame of a vehicle at a first end of the inner casing, wherein the inner casing is made of a first friable foam having a first stiffness;
a first void within the inner casing defined by (i) an inner wall of the inner casing and (ii) an opening at a second end of the inner casing; and
a first insert made of a second friable foam, wherein the first insert is positioned within the first void, and wherein the second friable foam has a second stiffness that is different from the first stiffness.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the inner casing is opposite the second end of the inner casing.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first insert comprises a first structure configured to collapse as the first insert absorbs an impact force.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first structure has a hexagonal shape.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a second structure that has a hexagonal shape with an open end.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an outer casing placed over the second end of the inner casing; and
a second void within the outer casing configured to receive an object.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second stiffness is less than the first stiffness and the first insert is positioned behind the second void.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a horizontally elongated insert that is located at the second end of the inner casing below the first insert, wherein a stiffness of the horizontally elongated insert is greater than the first stiffness, and wherein the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
a first wedge-shaped insert located on a first side of the second end of the inner casing, wherein the first wedge-shaped insert has a stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness; and
a second wedge-shaped insert located on a second side of the second end of the inner casing, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, and wherein the second wedge-shaped insert has a stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first wedge-shaped insert located on a first side of the second end of the inner casing, wherein the first wedge-shaped insert has a stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness; and
a second wedge-shaped insert located on a second side of the second end of the inner casing, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, wherein the second wedge-shaped insert has a stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness, and wherein the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness.
11. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the object comprises a sensor.