Patent ID: 6672438
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: B60R,F16F

Abstract:
A collision damping arrangement for a motor vehicle for absorbing energy in a collision, comprising a crashbox damper member extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis between a first aft end and a second distally opposite forward end and longitudinally deformably compressible in response to longitudinal force application, said first end of said crashbox damper member providing a first mounting surface for mounting to said vehicle, said second end of said crashbox damper member providing a second mounting surface for mounting to a bumper-mounting surface of a bumper, said second end of said crashbox damper member having a sequenced pre-collapse surface providing sequential energy absorbing compression such that at application of longitudinal force, longitudinal compression initially occurs at said pre-collapse surface, prior to compression of the remainder of said crashbox damper member, and upon sufficient further longitudinal force, longitudinal compression of said crash box damper member occurs, wherein said second mounting surface is beveled in roof-like fashion to a frontmost leading edge over said second end of said crashbox damper member, said crashbox damper member having a fold spaced longitudinally aft of said frontmost leading edge of said second mounting surface by a given longitudinal distance, such that at application of longitudinal force, compression initially occurs at said fold, prior to compression of the remainder of said crashbox damper member, said pre-collapse surface being provided by said second mounting surface.