ADJUSTABLE SAFETY CELL

An adjustable safety cell for adjusting the size of a deformation zone of a vehicle includes a vehicle reinforcement frame; a movable reinforcement member arranged to reinforce at least a portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame; wherein said reinforcement member is arranged to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position, a first portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame is reinforced, and wherein in said second position, a second portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame is reinforced.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an adjustable safety cell and a vehicle comprising such a safety cell.

BACKGROUND

Deformation zones and safety cells are commonplace features of vehicles that help mitigate the damage caused to occupants thereof should a collision occur. Having a large deformation zone is beneficial from a collision damage mitigation perspective, while having a large safety cell is beneficial from an occupant comfort perspective or maximum passenger count perspective. Thus, there is a trade-off between vehicle interior space and collision damage mitigation capabilities of vehicles. When designing the safety cell, the edge case of vehicle usage sets the minimum size thereof. Thus, when using the vehicle with fewer occupants than it is designed for, there is a wasted potential in deformation zone size.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a vehicle user with a safe space in which to ride said vehicle in a wider variety of situations than static safety cells allow. This and other objects, which will become apparent in the following, are accomplished by an adjustable safety cell and a vehicle comprising such a safety cell.

The term exemplary should in this application be understood as serving as an example, instance or illustration.

In order to increase a vehicle’s collision damage mitigation capabilities, a vehicle is divided into a number of deformation zones and a safety cell. The deformation zones are the portions of the vehicle that are designed for controlled deformation should a collision occur, while the safety cell defines the portion of the vehicle that is designed for minimal deformation during a collision. By having as large a deformation zone as possible, the vehicle is given a longer distance (and consequently, time) to come to a complete stop should a collision occur. This decreases the deceleration forces an occupant of the vehicle is subjected to, thus increasing the safety therefore.

The invention is at least partially based on the realisation that controlling the size of the deformation zone based on detected vehicle occupancy would increase the safety for the occupants of the vehicle. By selectively disengaging the safety cell, thereby increasing the size of the deformation zone, for the seats of the vehicle that are unoccupied, increased safety for the actual occupants of the vehicle is achieved.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an adjustable safety cell for adjusting the size of a deformation zone of a vehicle is provided. The adjustable safety cell comprises a vehicle reinforcement frame; and a movable reinforcement member arranged to reinforce at least a portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame; wherein said reinforcement member is arranged to move between a first position and a second position; wherein in said first position, a first portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame is reinforced, and wherein in said second position, a second portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame is reinforced.

The reinforced portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame defines a safety cell size of said vehicle. Thus, by selectively reinforcing different portions of the vehicle reinforcement frame, the safety cell size and shape may be controlled in order to provide a good fit with the needs of the occupants.

Movement of the reinforcement members reinforces different portions of the vehicle reinforcement frame so that the size of the deformation zone of the vehicle is adjustable. For example, in situations where the vehicle only holds occupants in the back seat, the front seat and luggage area may be made part of the deformation zone by moving the reinforcement members therefrom, thus reinforcing only the section of the vehicle interior that corresponds to the back seat thereof. Alternatively, in situations where the vehicle holds occupants in the front row, back seat and in a luggage area converted to hold additional seats, the entire vehicle interior may be made part of the safety cell, thus decreasing the size of the deformation zone to only include sections of the vehicle that do not hold occupants.

According to one example embodiment, said second position is adjacent to said first position. Similarly, said second portion is adjacent to said first portion. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, said reinforcement member is arranged to move between a plurality of positions; wherein in each position, a corresponding portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame is reinforced. For example, said reinforcement member may be arranged to move between three or more different positions, thus reinforcing three or more different portions of said vehicle reinforcement frame.

According to one example embodiment, movement of said movable reinforcement member between two positions does not require that the movable reinforcement member leaves the position from which it moves entirely. For example, a portion of said movable reinforcement member may move between a first position and a second position, while a portion of said movable reinforcement member remains in its initial position.

According to one example embodiment, said adjustable safety cell comprises a plurality of reinforcement members, each of which is movable between at least a respective first position and second position. This allows for more precise control of the safety cell size, shape and position.

According to one example embodiment, said adjustable safety cell is arranged to move said reinforcement members based on detected vehicle occupancy.

By having the adjustable safety cell automatically confirm its configuration to the detected vehicle occupancy, increased occupant safety is achieved.

According to one example embodiment, said adjustable safety cell further comprises a vehicle occupancy detection module configured to detect vehicle occupancy.

In the context of the present application, vehicle occupancy is taken to mean a measure of how many individuals are present in the vehicle, and/or which seats are occupied by said individuals. Additionally or alternatively, vehicle occupancy may also include a seat-by-seat classification of detected occupancy in said vehicle, e.g. differentiating between passengers, pets, cargo, etc.

Vehicle occupancy may be determined using one or more sensors, e.g. cameras or pressure sensors, configured to detect and/or classify occupancy for each seat or section of the vehicle. As such, said vehicle occupancy detection module may comprise any number of such sensors. Alternatively, said adjustable safety cell may be configured to use such sensors already provided in a vehicle for determining vehicle occupancy.

According to one example embodiment, said vehicle reinforcement frame defines a plurality of sections of a vehicle interior and wherein movement of said reinforcement members between a first position and a second position is such that different sections of said vehicle interior are reinforced.

Said vehicle reinforcement frame may for example be provided in the shape of a frame or a plurality of interconnected frames, i.e. in a grid-like structure. Alternatively, said safety cell frame may be provided in the shape of one or more members that intersect each other, e.g. two members intersecting each other at a right angle in the shape of a cross, or two members intersecting a third, thus forming a two-barred cross.

In such an embodiment, said adjustable safety cell comprises a plurality of reinforcement members, each of which is movable between at least a respective first position and second position. This allows for more precise control of the safety cell size, shape and position.

The vehicle reinforcement frame extends in at least a plane that is parallel or at least substantially parallel with the length-width extension of the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle reinforcement frame may extend three-dimensionally. This allows a sectioned box-shape to be formed around at least a portion of said vehicle interior. For example, the vehicle reinforcement frame may define a three-dimensional grid of sections of a vehicle interior. Furthermore, movement of said reinforcement members between a first position and a second position may be such that different sections of said vehicle interior are reinforced. In one such embodiment, the adjustable safety cell may adjust the size of the deformation zone to exclude the upper portion of one side of a vehicle interior in which no occupants are detected. In case of an accident in which the vehicle rolls, having a partially deformable upper portion of one section of the vehicle interior may increase the likeliness of the vehicle roll coming to a stop.

According to one example embodiment, said vehicle reinforcement frame is made from at least one hollow structural member, at least partially inside of which said movable reinforcement member is arranged.

According to one example embodiment, the hollow structural member of said reinforcement frame is arranged to deform in a controlled manner. This is achieved by having predefined fail points at which the hollow structural member deforms first, given a predicted collision force is applied.

By having the movable reinforcement member arranged inside said hollow structural member, the latter may be selectively reinforced at different portions thereof, thus selectively counteracting the controlled deformation at the predefined fail points.

According to one example embodiment, at least a portion of an outer lateral surface of said reinforcement member is threaded or bellow-shaped. Thus, when the vehicle is subj ected to a collision force, the reinforcement member partially deforms, such that the outer lateral surface thereof expands radially, thereby engaging the inner surface of the hollow structural member inside of which the reinforcement member is arranged. Thereby, the reinforcement member is secured to the hollow structural member when the vehicle is subjected to collision forces.

According to one example embodiment, said adjustable safety cell comprises at least one operable locking interface arranged to prevent translatory movement of at least a portion of said movable reinforcement member relative to said vehicle reinforcement frame. Thus, the direction of movement of the movable reinforcement member may be controlled more accurately, as one end thereof may be selectively secured to a portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame.

According to one example embodiment, said at least one operable locking interface is arranged to selectively prevent translatory movement of said movable reinforcement member relative to said vehicle reinforcement frame. In other words, the at least one operable locking interface is movable between a locked state, in which translatory movement of said movable reinforcement member relative to said vehicle reinforcement frame is prevented, and an unlocked state, in which translatory movement of said movable reinforcement member relative to said vehicle reinforcement frame is allowed.

Translatory movement, in the context of this embodiment of the present invention, is taken to mean movement along a direction that is parallel with the longitudinal extension of said movable reinforcement member, i.e. movement in a direction between said first position and said second position.

According to one example embodiment, said reinforcement member is provided as a pair of threaded rods arranged to mate with each other such that relative rotation thereof causes them to move relative to each other along an extension of at least a portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame.

For example, the pair of threaded rods may be provided as an externally threaded rod and an internally threaded hollow rod, the two having matching threads and being configured such that the internally threaded hollow rod may receive the externally threaded rod and engage in threaded connection therewith.

Thus, the position of the reinforcement member may be adjusted by rotating the two threaded rods relative to each other, thereby allowing precision control of the relative position of the movable reinforcement members and the vehicle reinforcement frame.

According to one example embodiment, at least one of said threaded rods comprises a motor connected to an end thereof, said motor being arranged to cause said threaded rod, to which it is connected, to rotate relative to the other threaded rod.

Having movement of the reinforcement member between the first position and the second position be controlled by a motor allows for non-destructive and reliable testing of the reinforcement member repositioning, as the safety cell may be adjusted between different configurations without any plastic deformation or permanent damage to any components thereof. Said motor may for example be an electric motor, coupled to an auxiliary battery, a vehicle battery or another power source.

According to one example embodiment, said motor comprises a rotational lock arranged to prevent rotation thereof relative to said vehicle reinforcement frame. The rotational lock may for example be provided as an abutment extending in a radial direction from said motor, which abutment engages a longitudinally extending track provided in the vehicle reinforcement frame, wherein the engagement thereof prevents rotation of the motor relative to said vehicle reinforcement frame.

According to one embodiment having two motors for each reinforcement member, one arranged at an end of either threaded rod, the reinforcement member further comprises an operable rotational lock in the motor that is configured to selectively prevent the threaded rod connected to each motor from rotating relative thereto. This allows both motors to be used alternatingly to move the two threaded rods relative to each other.

According to one example embodiment, the vehicle reinforcement frame comprises motor interfaces arranged such that in the first position, a first motor of said movable reinforcement member engages a first motor interface and is powered thereby, while in a second position, a second motor of said movable reinforcement member engages a second motor interface and is powered thereby. The motor interfaces may for example be provided as electrical connectors to which the motors are configured to connect.

According to one example embodiment, the vehicle reinforcement frame comprises motor interfaces arranged such that in the first position, a first motor of said movable reinforcement member engages a first motor interface and is powered thereby, while in a second position, an interface of said movable reinforcement member engages a second motor interface, thereby powering said first motor. In this embodiment, the first motor may be connected to said interface of said movable reinforcement member, thus allowing for the first motor to be powered either by being directly connected to said first motor interface, or by being connected to said second motor interface through said interface of said movable reinforcement member.

According to one example embodiment, said first and second motor interfaces are located at positions adjacent to said first and second position, respectively.

For example, the pair of threaded rods may be provided as an externally threaded rod and an internally threaded hollow rod, the two having matching threads and being configured such that the internally threaded hollow rod may receive the externally threaded rod and engage in threaded connection therewith.

According to one example embodiment, at least a portion of an outer lateral surface of each one of said threaded rods is threaded or bellow-shaped. For example, the externally threaded rod has an externally threaded outer lateral surface, and the internally threaded hollow rod may be provided with a threaded or bellow-shaped outer lateral surface.

According to one example embodiment, said reinforcement member is provided as a linear hydraulic motor comprising a cylinder and a piston that are movable along an extension of at least a portion of said vehicle reinforcement frame. Thus, the position of the reinforcement member may be adjusted by controlling the linear hydraulic motor, causing the cylinder and piston to move relative to each other, thereby allowing precision control of the relative position of the movable reinforcement members and the vehicle reinforcement frame. Alternatively, said reinforcement member may be provided as a linear pneumatic motor, having the same features as the linear hydraulic motor described above and in the following, mutatis mutandis.

Having movement of the reinforcement member between the first position and the second position be controlled by a linear hydraulic motor allows for non-destructive and reliable testing of the reinforcement member repositioning, as the safety cell may be adjusted between different configurations without any plastic deformation or permanent damage to any components thereof.

According to one example embodiment, said adjustable safety cell further comprises a first port and a second port, each of which is arranged to be connected to a source of hydraulic pressure. Thus, the linear hydraulic motor may be powered thereby.

According to one example embodiment, said adjustable safety cell further comprises a hydraulic pump configured to control the movement of said linear hydraulic motor.

According to one example embodiment, at least a portion of an outer lateral surface of each one of said piston and cylinder is threaded or bellow-shaped. For example, the piston may have an externally threaded or bellow-shaped outer casing attached thereto, the inner diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of said cylinder. The outer casing may for example be cylinder-shaped, one end of which is attached to a portion of the piston and the other end of which is free to receive said cylinder in which said piston is arranged. Similarly, said cylinder may be provided with a threaded or bellow-shaped outer lateral surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a vehicle having an adjustable safety cell according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided. Advantages and benefits of the first aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to the second aspect of the present invention.

Generally, all terms used in the description are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, some embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. Even though in the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known constructions or functions are not described in detail, so as not to obscure the present invention.

In the following, all relative positional indications such as upper, lower, lateral, rear-most, front-most, left, and right are to be interpreted from their normal meaning and from the perspective the vehicle in its intended direction of travel. For the figures illustrating the movable reinforcement members, the relative positional indications left and right are simply situational and are to be interpreted from the viewplane of the figure. Consequently, an oppositely arranged mirror image of the movable reinforcement member is equally valid in the context of the present invention.

FIG.1Ais a schematic overview of a vehicle1provided with an adjustable safety cell100according to one embodiment of the present invention. The adjustable safety cell100comprises a vehicle reinforcement frame101that defines a plurality of sections103of a vehicle interior105. The adjustable safety cell100is configured such that it may selectively reinforce different sections103of the vehicle interior105. Illustrated inFIG.1Ais a scenario in which a front-left section103and the three adjacent sections103of the vehicle interior105have been reinforced, as indicated by the solid lines, while the front-right and rear sections103of the vehicle interior105have been made part of the deformation zone of the vehicle1, as indicated by the dashed line. By selectively reinforcing different portions of the vehicle reinforcement frame101, the safety cell size and shape may be controlled in order to provide a good fit with the needs of the occupants. The needs of the occupants are determined primarily by means of detecting vehicle occupancy. The detected vehicle occupancy then controls the size of the adjustable safety cell100defined by the reinforced portions of the vehicle reinforcement frame101. Alternatively, the safety cell adjustment may be controlled manually by a user through a user interface901of the vehicle1in which the adjustable safety cell100is arranged.FIG.1Billustrates a scenario in which a rear section103of the vehicle interior105has been reinforced. This corresponds to the detection of vehicle occupancy in the rear seats of the vehicle1, thus allowing the front seat thereof to be made part of the deformation zone.

FIG.3, further highlighted below, illustrates a vehicle1comprising a vehicle occupancy detection module903configured to detect how many individuals are present in the vehicle1, which seats are occupied by these individuals, and also to perform a seat-by-seat classification of detected occupancy in the vehicle, e.g. differentiating between passengers, pets, cargo, etc. The vehicle occupancy detection module903does this by means of a sensor905, e.g. a camera or pressure sensor, that is configured to detect and classify occupancy for each seat or section of the vehicle1.

The scenario illustrated inFIG.1Acorresponds to the vehicle occupancy detection module903detecting that the driver’s seat and the seat right behind the driver’s seat are occupied, while the remaining seats are unoccupied. Therefore, the rear seats and the right side of the vehicle are all made part of the deformation zone by adjusting the size of the adjustable safety cell100. Similarly, the scenario illustrated inFIG.1Bcorresponds to the vehicle occupancy detection module903detecting that the vehicle1only holds occupants in the two back rows, thereby prompting the adjustable safety cell100to selectively reinforce portions thereof such that the front row of seats in the vehicle1is made part of the deformation zone.

The vehicle reinforcement frame101of the adjustable safety cell100of the present invention comprises hollow structural members107, inside of which movable reinforcement members200are arranged. The hollow structural members107being reinforced by the movable reinforcement members200is illustrated in the schematic overview thereof that is provided on the side of the illustration of the vehicle1in each one ofFIGS.1A-1C, while the movable reinforcement members200themselves will be illustrated in greater detail in the following figures. The adjustable safety cell100illustrated inFIGS.1A and1Bhas hollow structural members107which form the shape of a three-by-three grid of interconnected frames, part of which is reinforced by the movable reinforcement members200, as is emphasized in the respective figure. In other words, each frame of the grid of interconnected frames109may be reinforced by movement of the movable reinforcement members200to exclude a portion of the vehicle interior105from the deformation zone.FIG.1Cillustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which the hollow structural members107of the adjustable safety cell100are provided in the shape of a two-barred cross, with a central segment defining a lengthwise adjustable portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame101, and two segments that are perpendicular to the central segment that define a front-most and rear-most lateral extension of the adjustable safety cell100, respectively. In the illustrated scenario, both lateral sides of a front-most section of the vehicle interior has been reinforced by the adjustable safety cell, causing the rear-most section of the vehicle interior to be part of the deformation zone. For the embodiments illustrated inFIGS.1A-1C, the vehicle reinforcement frame101extends in a plane that is parallel with the length-width extension of the vehicle1, i.e. a plane that is normally parallel with the ground plane.

FIGS.2A-2Dillustrate an embodiment of the invention in which the vehicle reinforcement frame101extends three-dimensionally.FIG.2Ais a schematic side view of an adjustable safety cell100according to this embodiment of the present invention. This adjustable safety cell100forms a sectioned box-shape around a portion of the vehicle interior105. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow structural members107form a 2*2*2 sectioned box-shape. Like with the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1A-1C, selectively reinforcing different portions of the vehicle reinforcement frame101of the embodiment ofFIGS.2A-2Dallows the safety cell size and shape to be controlled in order to provide a good fit with the needs of the occupants.

FIG.2Billustrates a fully reinforced adjustable safety cell100according to this embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to the detection of vehicle occupancy across the entire vehicle interior105.FIG.2Cillustrates a scenario in which vehicle occupancy has been detected in the front section of the vehicle interior105, causing the adjustable safety cell100to reinforce only this portion thereof. The rear portion, consequently, has been made part of the deformation zone.FIG.2Dillustrates a scenario in which vehicle occupancy has been detected in the left half of the vehicle interior105, as seen from an intended direction of travel of the vehicle1, causing the adjustable safety cell100to reinforce the entire left half of the vehicle1, and the lower portion of the right half of the vehicle1. The upper portion of the right half of the vehicle1has been made part of the deformation zone. The fact that the reinforced portion of the adjustable safety cell100extends three-dimensionally causes the vehicle1to be less likely to roll in case of an accident, as having a partially deformable upper portion of one section of the vehicle interior105increases the likeliness of the vehicle roll coming to a stop.

FIG.3, as mentioned, illustrates a vehicle1comprising a vehicle occupancy detection module903. The vehicle further comprises a processing unit907, a memory unit909, a user interface901, and a perception unit911. The memory unit909is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program configured to be executed by the processing unit907, wherein the program comprises instructions for controlling the adjustable safety cell100of the present invention. The user interface901is configured to allow a user to manually adjust the size of the safety cell by selectively reinforcing different sections103of the vehicle reinforcement frame101, and the perception unit911comprises modules of the vehicle1associated with perception of the external world and the vehicle1itself.

FIGS.4A-4Care sectioned side views of a movable reinforcement member200according to one embodiment of the present invention. The adjustable safety cell100of the present invention comprises movable reinforcement members200, such as the one illustrated herein. The movable reinforcement members200are arranged such that movement thereof selectively reinforces different portions of the vehicle reinforcement frame101, and consequently different sections of the vehicle interior105. The movable reinforcement members200are configured to move between a first position, a second position and a third position, as is illustrated inFIGS.4A-4C, respectively. Also, the vehicle reinforcement frame101comprises hollow structural members107, inside of which the movable reinforcement members200are arranged.

Each one of the movable reinforcement members200of this embodiment is provided as a pair of threaded rods201,203arranged to mate with each other. One is an externally threaded rod201and the other is an internally threaded hollow rod203, the two having matching threads and being configured such that the internally threaded hollow rod203may receive the externally threaded rod201and engage in threaded connection therewith. Being engaged in threaded connection, relative rotation thereof causes the pair of threaded rods201,203to move relative to each other. Thus, the position of the movable reinforcement member200may be adjusted by rotating the two threaded rods201,203relative to each other, thereby allowing precision control of the relative position of the movable reinforcement members200and the vehicle reinforcement frame101.

As such, a portion of the outer lateral surface205of each one of the pair of threaded rods201,203of the movable reinforcement member200is threaded. Thus, when the vehicle1is subjected to a collision force, the pair of threaded rods201,203of the movable reinforcement member200partially deforms, such that the outer lateral surface205thereof expands radially, thereby engaging an inner surface111of the hollow structural member107inside of which the movable reinforcement member200is arranged.

In the illustrated embodiment, both threaded rods201,203are provided with a motor207,209connected to an end thereof. The motor207,209of each threaded rod201,203is arranged to cause that threaded rod201,203to rotate relative to the other threaded rod201,203, thus causing the threads thereof to engage and cause a translatory movement of the two threaded rods201,203.

Each motor207,209comprises an abutment211extending in a radial direction from the motor207,209, the abutment211being arranged to function as a rotational lock in order to prevent rotation of the motor207,209relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101. The abutment211engages a longitudinally extending track113provided in the vehicle reinforcement frame101, such that rotation of the motor207,209relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101is prevented.

Furthermore, the motors207,209each comprises an operable rotational lock213,215integrated therein that is configured to selectively prevent the threaded rod201,203connected thereto from rotating. This allows both motors207,209to be used alternatingly to move the two threaded rods201,203relative to each other. When the first motor207is activated and used to cause the externally threaded rod201to rotate, the operable rotational lock215of the second motor209is activated such that the internally threaded hollow rod203is prevented from rotating. Conversely, when the second motor209is activated and used to cause the internally threaded hollow rod203to rotate, the operable rotational lock213of the first motor207is activated such that the externally threaded rod201is prevented from rotating.

The two motors201,203of the illustrated embodiment are electric motors, powered by a power source not illustrated herein.

At either end of the hollow structural member107of the vehicle reinforcement frame101, motor interfaces115,117are arranged. These motor interfaces115,117are arranged to provide an electrical interface between a power source and the motors207,209. When the movable reinforcement member200is in the first position, which is described below, the first motor207engages the first motor interface115. When the movable reinforcement member200is in the second positon, also described below, the first motor207and the second motor209engages the first motor interface115and the second motor interface117, respectively. When the movable reinforcement member is in the third positon, the second motor209engages the second motor interface117.

Additionally, the adjustable safety cell100comprises operable locking interfaces119,121arranged to selectively prevent translatory movement of the pair of threaded rods201,203relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101. Thus, the direction of movement of the movable reinforcement member200may be controlled more accurately, as one end thereof may be selectively secured to a portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame101by means of the operable locking interfaces119,121. The operable locking interfaces119,121are movable between a locked state, in which translatory movement of corresponding threaded rod201,203of the movable reinforcement member200relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101is prevented, and an unlocked state, in which translatory movement of the corresponding threaded rod201,203of the movable reinforcement member200relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101is allowed.

The first position of the movable reinforcement member200, illustrated inFIG.4A, is such that the internally threaded hollow rod203is positioned in its rightmost position, while the threads of the externally threaded rod201have fully engaged the threads of the internally threaded hollow rod203, such that this rod201also is in its rightmost position. The second motor209is engaged with both the second motor interface117and the operable locking interface121, thereby powering the motor209and preventing translatory movement of the internally threaded hollow rod203from the rightmost position. In this arrangement, the right half of the hollow structural member107of this portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame101has been reinforced.

The second position of the movable reinforcement member200, illustrated inFIG.4B, is such that the threads of the two threaded rods201,203have been partially disengaged to the extent that the externally threaded rod201has been moved to its leftmost position, while the internally threaded hollow rod203remains in its rightmost position. The first motor207is engaged with both the first motor interface115and the operable locking interface119, and the second motor209is engaged with the second motor interface117and the operable locking interface121. Thus, the movable reinforcement member200is held in place at both ends, thereby causing the entire length of the hollow structural member107of this portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame101to be reinforced.

The third position of the movable reinforcement member200, illustrated inFIG.4C, is such that is such that the externally threaded rod201is positioned in its leftmost position, while the threads of the internally threaded hollow rod203have fully engaged the threads of the externally threaded rod201, such that this rod203also is in its leftmost position. The first motor207is engaged with both the first motor interface115and the operable locking interface119, thereby powering the motor207and preventing translatory movement of the externally threaded rod201from the leftmost position. In this arrangement, the left half of the hollow structural member107of this portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame101has been reinforced.

FIGS.5A-5Care sectioned side views of a movable reinforcement member200according to another embodiment of the present invention. Like the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.4A-4C, the movable reinforcement member200is provided as a pair of threaded rods201,203. Unless otherwise specified, the two embodiments share features and components, as described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the movable reinforcement member200comprises a single motor209connected to an end of the internally threaded hollow rod203. The motor209is arranged to cause the internally threaded hollow rod203to rotate relative to the externally threaded rod201, thus causing the threads thereof to engage and cause a translatory movement of the two threaded rods201,203.

The motor209comprises an abutment211extending in a radial direction therefrom, the abutment211being arranged to function as a rotational lock in order to prevent rotation of the motor209relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101. The abutment211engages a longitudinally extending track113provided in the vehicle reinforcement frame101, such that rotation of the motor209relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101is prevented.

Furthermore, the externally threaded rod201comprises a fixed abutment217arranged at one end thereof, arranged to function as a rotational lock. The abutment217of the externally threaded rod201engages a longitudinally extending track113provided in the vehicle reinforcement frame101, such that rotation of the externally threaded rod201relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101is prevented.

In the abutment211extending from the motor209, a motor interface219is arranged. This motor interface219is arranged to provide a sliding electrical interface between a power source and the motor209via an electrical connection123provided along a portion of the longitudinally extending track113of the vehicle reinforcement frame101. This may for example be a spring based electrical connector. Thus, electrical connection between a power source and the motor209may be maintained while the movable reinforcement member200moves between positions.

The motor209of this embodiment is configured to selectively run in either direction, depending on the needs of the situation. In the embodiment ofFIGS.4A-4C, the motors207,209only need to run in one direction each.

Like the embodiment ofFIGS.4A-4C, this embodiment moves the movable reinforcement member200between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In a first position, illustrated inFIG.5A, the internally threaded hollow rod203is in its rightmost position, connected to the operable locking interface121such that translatory movement therefrom is prevented. The externally threaded rod201is fully engaged with the internally threaded hollow rod203, such that this rod201also is in its rightmost position. By using the motor to cause the internally threaded hollow rod203to rotate in a first direction, the externally threaded rod201is forced to move towards the other end of the hollow structural member107of this portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame101by engagement of the threads of the pair of threaded rods201,203. Thus, the movable reinforcement member200is in its second position, as is illustrated inFIG.5B. Once in the leftmost position, the externally threaded rod201is locked in place by means of the operable locking interface119, thus preventing it from moving towards the first position. Then, the operable locking interface121holding the internally threaded hollow rod203in place is released, and the motor is used to cause the internally threaded hollow rod203to rotate in a second direction, such that the internally threaded hollow rod203is forced to move leftwards, towards the other end of the hollow structural member107of this portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame101by engagement of the threads of the pair of threaded rods201,203. Thus, the movable reinforcement member200is in its third position, as is illustrated inFIG.5C.

FIGS.6A-6Care sectioned side views of a movable reinforcement member200according to another embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiment illustrated herein share features and components with the two abovementioned embodiments. Like the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.4A-4C, the movable reinforcement member200is provided as a pair of threaded rods201,203. Here, motor interfaces are provided in the form of flexible electrical connectors125,127arranged to retract and protrude as the two threaded rods201,203move between their left-most and right-most positions. The flexible electrical connectors125,127of this embodiment are provided on a respective spool129,131, which feeds and retracts the flexible electrical connectors125,127as needed when the pair of threaded rods201,203moves. The movable reinforcement member200of this embodiment moves between a first, second and third position in the same way as the movable reinforcement member200ofFIGS.4A-4C. This movement between the three positions is illustrated inFIGS.6A-6C, respectively.

FIGS.7A-7Care sectioned side views of a movable reinforcement member200according to another embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiment illustrated herein share features and components with the three abovementioned embodiments, mutatis mutandis. The movable reinforcement member200of this embodiment is provided as a linear hydraulic motor300comprising a cylinder301and a piston303that are movable along an extension of a portion of the hollow structural member107of the vehicle reinforcement frame101. The piston303comprises a piston rod305, a head307provided at one end thereof, and a rear connection member309provided at an opposite end thereof. The position of the linear hydraulic motor300relative to the hollow structural member107of the vehicle reinforcement frame101is adjustable by controlling a hydraulic feed thereto, causing the cylinder301and piston303to move relative to each other.

In the first position, illustrated inFIG.7A, the cylinder301and the piston303are arranged in their right-most position, with the cylinder301being connected to the hollow structural member107by means of an operable locking interface121provided at one end thereof, which is arranged to selectively prevent translatory movement of the cylinder301relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101. Thus, the direction of movement of the linear hydraulic motor300may be controlled more accurately, as one end of the cylinder301may be selectively secured to a portion of the vehicle reinforcement frame101by means of the operable locking interfaces121. The operable locking interface121is movable between a locked state, in which translatory movement of the cylinder301relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101is prevented, and an unlocked state, in which translatory movement of the cylinder301relative to the vehicle reinforcement frame101is allowed.

In the second position, illustrated inFIG.7B, the cylinder301is arranged in its right-most position and the piston303in its left-most position. The cylinder301is connected to the hollow structural member107by means of the operable locking interface121as described above, and the rear connection member309of the piston303is connected to the hollow structural member107by means of another operable locking interface121arranged at an end thereof. In the third position, illustrated inFIG.7C, the cylinder301and the piston303are arranged in their left-most position, with the rear connection member309of the piston303being connected to the hollow structural member107by means of the operable locking interface121.

In this embodiment, the adjustable safety cell100comprises a first port133and a second port135, each of which is connected to a source of hydraulic pressure (not illustrated herein), by means of which the linear hydraulic motor300is powered. The first and second port133,135are provided at either end of the hollow structural member107, and connect to the linear hydraulic motor300by means of two flexible hydraulic connection lines311,313. The first flexible hydraulic connection line311connects a first port133, provided in the left end of the hollow structural member107, with a first cylinder space315defined by the head307of the piston303and the left-most end of the cylinder301. The first flexible hydraulic connection line311extends from the first port133, to the rear connection member309, through the piston rod305, and connects to the first cylinder space315. The second flexible hydraulic connection line313connects a second port135, provided in the right end of the hollow structural member107, with a second cylinder space317defined by the head307of the piston303and the right-most end of the cylinder301. The second flexible hydraulic connection line313extends from the second port135, to the cylinder301, and connects to the second cylinder space317. Thus, by providing hydraulic pressure to the linear hydraulic motor300though the first and second flexible hydraulic connection lines311,313, the linear hydraulic motor300may be actuated and moved between its positions, as illustrated above. Each one of the two flexible hydraulic connection lines311,313are provided on a respective spool319,321, which feeds and retracts the flexible hydraulic connection lines311,313as needed when the cylinder301and piston303of the linear hydraulic motor300move.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer lateral surface323of the cylinder301is bellow-shaped, and the piston303has a bellow-shaped outer casing325attached to the rear connection member309thereof. The inner diameter of the outer casing325is greater than the outer diameter of the cylinder301, thus allowing the cylinder301to be received thereby when both the piston303and the cylinder301are in their right-most or left-most position. The outer casing325extends from the rear connection member309to a position adjacent to the head307of the piston303, such that when the piston303is in its left-most position and the cylinder301in its right-most position, the outer casing325of the piston303and the outer lateral surface323of the cylinder301jointly define a bellow-shaped outer surface327extending along substantially the entire length of the hollow structural member107, thereby reinforcing it. Thus, when the vehicle is subjected to a collision force, the bellow-shaped outer surface327of the linear hydraulic motor300partially deforms and expands radially, thereby engaging an inner surface111of the hollow structural member107inside of which the linear hydraulic motor300is arranged.

FIGS.8A-8Cillustrate an alternative embodiment of the linear hydraulic motor300of the present invention, in which the first port and the second port are both provided at the leftmost end of the hollow structural member107, and in which both of the two flexible hydraulic connection lines311,313connects to the linear hydraulic motor300through the piston rod305. The first flexible hydraulic connection line311extends from the first port133, to the rear connection member309, through the piston rod305, and connects to the first cylinder space315defined by the head307of the piston303and the left-most end of the cylinder301. The second flexible hydraulic connection line313extends from the second port135, to the rear connection member309, through the piston rod305, and connects to the second cylinder space317defined by the head307of the piston303and the right-most end of the cylinder301. By providing hydraulic pressure to the linear hydraulic motor300though the first and second flexible hydraulic connection lines311,313, the linear hydraulic motor300may be actuated and moved between its positions, as illustrated above. Each one of the two flexible hydraulic connection lines311,313are provided on a single spool 329, which feeds and retracts the flexible hydraulic connection lines311,313as needed when the cylinder301and piston303of the linear hydraulic motor300move.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. The features of the described embodiments may be combined in different ways, and many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting to the claim. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in the claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.