Patent ID: 7954865
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An impact limiting system of a vehicle having a vehicle body, comprising: impact absorbing deformation elements extending from the vehicle body and aligned with an impact force direction, wherein the impact absorbing deformation elements elastically deform for low impact forces; a transverse carrier supported on the impact absorbing deformation elements for conveying impact energy to the impact absorbing deformation elements, the transverse carrier having an outer surface, wherein the transverse carrier is dimensionally stable but flexible such that it elastically deforms for low impact forces; a cladding element forming an outer bumper skin that covers the transverse carrier, the cladding element having an interior surface, wherein the outer surface of the transverse carrier is spaced apart from the interior surface of the cladding element such that a gap arises between the entire outer surface of the transverse carrier and the entire interior surface of the cladding element; and an impact force conveying element between the interior surface of the cladding element and the outer surface of the transverse carrier and completely filling the gap, the impact force conveying element attached and fixed to both the outer surface of the transverse carrier and the interior surface of the cladding element; wherein contours of the impact force conveying element are adjusted to contours of the transverse carrier and the cladding element; and the impact force conveying element is formed from a dimensionally stable and rigid material that conveys low impact forces acting on the cladding element to the transverse carrier.