Patent ID: 9592780
Date: 2017-03-14
CPC Classifications: B60R

Claim:
1. A device for absorbing kinetic energy, comprising: a stationary first component; and a second component, movable relative to the first component, said movable component comprising a deformation element, said deformation element being configured so that a force resulting from a crash and acting on the deformation element causes the deformation element to undergo deformation prior to causing a movement of the second element relative to the first element; and a coupling device, said coupling device comprising at least one bracket constantly operatively connecting the first and second components, a locking element for moving the at least one bracket from a non-activated state outwardly toward the second component into an activated state, wherein in the non-activated state the at least one bracket couples the first and second components with a first coupling force so as to allow movement of the first component in relation to the second component with low energy conversion, and in the activated state the at least one bracket couples the first and second components with a second coupling force higher than the first coupling force, so as to allow transmission of forces between the first and second component, wherein at least one of the first and second components undergoes a plastic deformation when the forces exceed a defined force level.