Patent ID: 8408370
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: B60N,B60R,B62D,F16F

Abstract:
1. An energy absorbing element, comprising: a container having a movable wall configured to reduce a volume of said container upon being forced into said container, and at least one orifice formed in said container and leading into an adjoining outlet duct having a reduced flow cross-section relative to a cross-section of said container; and a capsule disposed in said container and filled with a flowable medium configured to change a flowability thereof under an influence of a magnetic field, said capsule being configured to destruct in an event of an impact that causes said movable wall to move and to reduce said volume of said container, wherein said flowable medium is pressed out of said container through said at least one orifice and through said outlet duct in the event of the impact; an electromagnet disposed at said outlet duct for generating a magnetic field in said outlet duct and for influencing the flowability of said medium in said outlet duct substantially without affecting a flowability of said flowable medium in said container; and a control unit connected to and controlling said electromagnet, wherein said control unit causes said electromagnet to be energized and to generate the magnetic field in the event of the impact.