Energy absorbing reinforcement structure for a vehicle
A structure for a vehicle includes a body and an energy absorber assembly. The body extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is configured to be secured to a main body structure of the vehicle. The energy absorber assembly extends from the body. The energy absorber assembly also includes arcuate absorber elements configured to deform laterally upon impact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. When a vertical force is applied to the structure, the body is configured to inhibit deflection of the structure in a vertical direction.
1 . A structure for a vehicle, the structure comprising:
a body extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle and configured to be secured to a main body structure of the vehicle; and
an energy absorber assembly extending from the body, the energy absorber assembly comprising a connecting member and arcuate absorber elements configured to deform laterally upon impact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each arcuate absorber element including a proximal end extending from the body and a distal end, the connecting member coupled to the distal ends of the arcuate absorber elements,
wherein, when a vertical force is applied to the structure, the body is configured to inhibit deflection of the structure in a vertical direction.
2 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the absorber elements are cantilevered to the body.
3 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the absorber elements comprise a first set of absorber elements and a second set of absorber elements, and wherein the first set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction and the second set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction.
4 . The structure of claim 3 , wherein the first set of absorber elements comprises inner absorber elements and outer absorber elements, and wherein the outer absorber elements have a length greater than a length of the inner absorber elements.
5 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the absorber elements comprise inner absorber elements and outer absorber elements, and wherein the outer absorber elements have a length greater than a length of the inner absorber elements.
6 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the absorber elements are located along a substantial length of the body.
7 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the absorber elements have a sinusoidal shape.
8 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises hollow cans spaced apart along a length of the body, the hollow cans located below the energy absorber assembly.
9 . The structure of claim 8 , wherein the body comprises at least one internal brace located within each hollow can.
10 . The structure of claim 9 , wherein the at least one internal brace comprises two internal braces cooperating to form an X shape.
11 . The structure of claim 9 , wherein the body comprises walls between the hollow cans, and wherein each wall includes a mounting feature.
12 . The structure of claim 1 , further comprising a vehicle fascia housing the body and the energy absorber assembly.
13 . A structure for a vehicle, the structure comprising:
a body configured to be secured to a main body structure of the vehicle and extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle, the body comprising hollow cans spaced apart along a length of the body; and
an energy absorber assembly extending from the body and comprising arcuate absorber elements configured to deform laterally upon impact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the energy absorber assembly located above the hollow cans,
wherein, when a vertical force is applied to the structure, the body is configured to inhibit deflection of the structure in a vertical direction.
14 . The structure of claim 13 , wherein the absorber elements comprise a first set of absorber elements and a second set of absorber elements, and wherein the first set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction and the second set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction.
15 . The structure of claim 14 , wherein the first set of absorber elements comprises inner absorber elements and outer absorber elements, and wherein the outer absorber elements have a length greater than a length of the inner absorber elements.
16 . The structure of claim 13 , wherein the absorber elements have a sinusoidal shape.
17 . The structure of claim 13 , wherein the body comprises at least one internal brace located within each hollow can.
18 . The structure of claim 13 , wherein the body further includes:
an outer wall, the energy absorber assembly extending from the outer wall;
a plurality of internal braces located within each hollow can; and
a plurality vertical stiffening ribs connecting the hollow cans and the outer wall.
19 . The structure of claim 13 , wherein the body comprises walls between the hollow cans, and wherein each wall includes a mounting feature.
20 . A structure for a vehicle, the structure comprising:
a body configured to be secured to a main body structure of the vehicle and extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle, the body comprising hollow cans spaced apart along a length of the body and a plurality of internal braces located within each hollow can; and
an energy absorber assembly cantilevered to the body and comprising a plurality of absorber elements configured to deform laterally upon impact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the energy absorber assembly located above the hollow cans,
wherein, when a vertical force is applied to the structure, the body is configured to inhibit deflection of the structure in a vertical direction, and
wherein the absorber elements comprise a first set of absorber elements and a second set of absorber elements, the first set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction and the second set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction.