Shock absorber system for a vehicle

1. A shock absorber system for a vehicle, comprising:

a main unit adapted to deform in the event of an impact with a first energy level, wherein the first energy level produces a first deformation phase of the main unit; and

a secondary unit, shorter in length than the main unit, adapted to be subjected to loads as a complement to the main unit after the first deformation phase of the main unit and when the system receives an impact with a second energy level greater than the first energy level and after the first deformation phase;

wherein the secondary unit orients a force resultant applied on a downstream structure in a direction that is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the downstream structure; and

wherein the secondary unit has a geometry adapted to induce a deformation axis different from that of the main unit; and

wherein the geometry of the secondary unit adapted to induce a deformation axis different from that of the main unit includes at least one of:

a wall thickness that is different between two walls of the secondary unit,

a groove extending along a wall of the secondary unit,

a cross-section in the shape of an irregular hexagon,

a U-shaped cross-section,

an assembly of first and second pieces, each one provided with a pair of fins through which the first and second pieces are fastened to each other such that they form the secondary unit,

a tetragonal cross-section with at least two adjacent walls of the secondary unit that are not orthogonal to each other,

an overlap of edges of a plate from which the secondary unit is formed by folding, and

a weld between edges of a plate from which the secondary unit is formed by folding.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit is eccentric relative to the main unit.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit is centered relative to the main unit.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit has cut-outs to induce a deformation axis different from that of the main unit.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit has a primer element to prime the deformation of the secondary unit in a deformation axis different from that of the main unit.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the primer element is a pre-deformation of the secondary unit and/or openings placed on edges of the secondary unit.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit has an area of lower mechanical strength obtained through heat treating the secondary unit.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit has reinforcements.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit comprises a main body formed from a first material, and a secondary element formed from a second material with different mechanical characteristics to those of the first material.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit is housed in the main unit.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises several secondary units nested in the main unit.

12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the main and secondary units has a straight rectangular cross-section.

13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary unit is formed by a piece with an overall thickness greater than the main unit in order to have a resistance to deformation when under longitudinal compression, greater than that of the main unit.

14. The system according to claim 1 , in combination with a bumper crossbar and a front end of a front beam framing an engine compartment of a vehicle, wherein the system is placed between an end of the bumper crossbar and the front end of the front beam.

15. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the secondary unit is placed in an eccentric position inside the main unit, in a position adjacent to an inner face of the front beam.