Patent ID: 6027105
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: B60R,F16F

Abstract:
An impact damper for braking a vehicle impact against an obstacle, comprising:an outer tube having a first end and a second end and a tapering region proximate said second end directed away from said first end;an inner tube including a closed end having a bottom and an open end, said open end slidably inserted into said first end of said outer tube;a separating piston sealingly and displaceably mounted in said inner tube;a gas chamber in said inner tube between said bottom and said separating piston and comprising a high-pressure gas cushion;a partition connected proximate said open end of said inner tube and comprising a damping device;a first fluid chamber in said inner tube arranged between said partition and said separating piston;a second fluid chamber in said outer tube, wherein said damping device is operatively arranged for permitting a flow between said first fluid chamber and said second fluid chamber when said inner tube moves into in said outer tube in response to the vehicle impact when the collision speed of the vehicle impact is not greater than a predetermined limit; anda deformation element dividing said second fluid chamber into two second chamber parts and operatively arranged so that when a collision speed of the vehicle impact exceeds the predetermined limit, the damping element is blocked and a movement of said inner tube into said outer tube forces said deformation element into said tapering region and causes a deformation of said deformation element in said tapering region.