Patent ID: 6749221
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
An energy absorbing device comprising:a base unit; an adjustable deforming member disposed within the base unit; a deformable strap housed by the base unit and attached at one end to a vehicle structure, the deformable strap engaging the adjustable deforming member; an actuator associated with the base unit for adjusting the adjustable deforming member; a spring attachment member associated with the base unit, the spring attachment member including an adjustment portion; a spring attached to the base unit at one end and to the spring attachment member at another end; at least one stop associated with the base unit and positioned to interact with the adjustment portion of the spring attachment member; and the actuator moving the at least one stop in response to a control parameter wherein the adjustable deforming member is adjusted to correspond to an optimized energy absorbing load.