Patent ID: 9403498
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: B60R

Claim Text:
1. An energy absorbing assembly for use with a vehicle, comprising: a first axial end for coupling to a vehicle bumper; a second axial end for coupling to a vehicle frame; and a plurality of segments extending between the first and second axial ends along a longitudinal axis of the assembly and being welded together, the plurality of segments includes a first segment that extends from the first axial end, a second segment that extends from the first segment, and a welded junction that is located at the interface of the first and second segments and includes a non-linear portion having at least one junction feature that extends into either the first segment or the second segment in the direction of the longitudinal axis; wherein the non-linear portion is configured to influence the transmission of energy from the first segment to the second segment across the welded junction during a collision event by lessening energy profile peaks and energy profile valleys and thereby smoothing the transmission of energy from the first segment to the second segment across the welded junction.