ENERGY ABSORBING REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE

A structure for a vehicle includes a body and an energy absorber assembly. The body extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is configured to be secured to a main body structure of the vehicle. The energy absorber assembly extends from the body. The energy absorber assembly also includes arcuate absorber elements configured to deform laterally upon impact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. When a vertical force is applied to the structure, the body is configured to inhibit deflection of the structure in a vertical direction.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an energy absorbing reinforcement structure for a vehicle, and a vehicle including an energy absorbing reinforcement structure.

BACKGROUND

Energy absorbing structures are provided in many areas in a motor vehicle body to protect structures that are arranged behind the energy absorbers, for example. Such energy absorbing structures are typically in the area of the vehicle bumper systems where, for example, energy absorbing elements or structures are integrated into the space between bumper fascia and bumper cross beam. By absorbing energy during an impact such as a low speed impact, the energy absorbing structure may reduce damage to other parts of the vehicle.

These issues related to energy absorbing structures in vehicles, among other issues related to energy absorbing structures, are addressed by the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

In one form, the present disclosure provides a structure for a vehicle that includes an energy absorber body and an energy absorber assembly. The energy absorber body extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is configured to be secured to a main body structure of the vehicle. The energy absorber assembly extends from the energy absorber body. The energy absorber assembly also includes arcuate absorber elements configured to deform laterally upon impact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. When a vertical force is applied to the structure, the body is configured to inhibit deflection of the structure in a vertical or longitudinal direction.

In variations of the structure of the above paragraph, which may be implemented individually or in any combination: the absorber elements are cantilevered to the energy absorber body; the absorber elements comprise a first set of absorber elements and a second set of absorber elements, the first set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction and the second set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction; the first set of absorber elements comprises inner absorber elements and outer absorber elements, the outer absorber elements have a length greater than a length of the inner absorber elements; the absorber elements comprise inner absorber elements and outer absorber elements, the outer absorber elements have a length greater than a length of the inner absorber elements; the absorber elements are located along a substantial length of the body; the absorber elements have a sinusoidal shape; the energy absorber body comprises hollow cans spaced apart along a length of the energy absorber body, the hollow cans are located below the energy absorber assembly; the energy absorber body comprises at least one internal brace located within each hollow can; the internal brace comprises two internal braces cooperating to form an X shape; the energy absorber body comprises walls between the hollow cans, each wall includes a mounting feature; a vehicle fascia housing the energy absorber body and the energy absorber assembly; and the energy absorber body further comprises an outer wall, the energy absorber assembly extending from the outer wall, a plurality of internal braces located within each hollow can, and a plurality vertical stiffening ribs connecting the hollow cans and the outer wall.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a structure for a vehicle that includes an energy absorber body and an energy absorber assembly. The energy absorber body extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is configured to be secured to a main body structure of the vehicle. The energy absorber body also comprises hollow cans spaced apart along a length of the energy absorber body. The energy absorber assembly extends from the energy absorber body. The energy absorber assembly also includes arcuate absorber elements configured to deform laterally upon impact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The energy absorber assembly is located above the hollow cans. When a vertical force is applied to the structure, the body is configured to inhibit deflection of the structure in a vertical or longitudinal direction.

In yet another form, the present disclosure provides a structure for a vehicle that includes an energy absorber body and an energy absorber assembly. The energy absorber body extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is configured to be secured to a main body structure of the vehicle. The energy absorber body also comprises hollow cans spaced apart along a length of the energy absorber body and a plurality of internal braces located within each hollow can. The energy absorber assembly is cantilevered to the energy absorber body. The energy absorber assembly also includes arcuate absorber elements configured to deform laterally upon impact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The energy absorber assembly is located above the hollow cans. When a vertical force is applied to the structure, the energy absorber body is configured to inhibit deflection of the structure in a vertical direction. The absorber elements comprise a first set of absorber elements and a second set of absorber elements. The first set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction and the second set of absorber elements are configured to deform in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction upon impact in the longitudinal direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS.1and2, a vehicle10including a vehicle body12and a cargo area at a rear end of the vehicle body12(i.e., behind an occupancy compartment) is illustrated. One or more doors are rotatably coupled to the vehicle body12between a closed position in which access to the cargo area from outside of the vehicle10is inhibited, and an open position in which access to the cargo area from outside of the vehicle10is allowed. The vehicle body12further includes a rear end assembly16(FIG.2) that at least partially defines an opening to the cargo area. The rear end assembly16includes a back panel18extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle10. The back panel18is generally planar. In some forms, the back panel18comprises bends, stiffening ribs and/or double-thick walls providing selected stiffened areas thereof.

With additional reference toFIGS.3-7, a separate energy absorbing reinforcement structure20is secured to the back panel18(FIG.7) of the rear end assembly16using mechanical fasteners, for example. A cover panel21at least partially defines the opening to the cargo area and extends over a portion of the structure20(FIGS.3and7). The structure20is made of a plastic material, for example. The structure20is also configured to absorb energy and reduce a load in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle10upon a vehicle impact event. As shown inFIG.7, a bumper beam17extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle10and is located at least partially underneath the structure20. Crush cans (not shown) extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle10between the bumper beam17and the vehicle frame (not shown), and connect the bumper beam17to the vehicle frame. The crush cans are configured to crush to absorb energy. That is, during a vehicle impact, the crush cans are configured to crush, thereby absorbing energy and distributing loads away from the back panel18and the vehicle frame. In the example illustrated, a vehicle fascia22is secured to the vehicle body12and houses at least a portion of the structure20, at least a portion of the back panel18, and the bumper beam17.

With reference toFIGS.2-7, the structure20comprises an energy absorber body26and an energy absorber assembly28. The body26is secured to the back panel18of the rear end assembly16and extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle10. The body26includes hollow cans30, a plurality of internal braces32(FIGS.4and5), and a plurality of stiffening ribs34(FIGS.4and5). The hollow cans30are spaced-apart from each other along a length of the body26. Each can30extends from a lower wall35of the body26in a rearward direction. Each can30also includes walls (i.e., comprising a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, and an upper wall) extending in a horizontal and/or oblique direction away from the back panel18and an end wall closing an end of the can30. The lower wall35and one or more walls of the hollow cans30can include ridges44formed therein. In this way, the stiffness of the lower wall35and the cans30are improved. The lower wall35also has a generally U-shape where a center portion35aof the lower wall35is positioned lower than end portions35bof the lower wall35.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, one or more internal braces32are located within a space of each hollow can30, thereby improving the stiffness of the hollow can30. In the example illustrated, each internal brace32extends diagonally within the space of the hollow can30from an upper corner toward a lower corner. In some forms, the internal braces32extend vertically and/or horizontally within the space of the hollow can30. In other forms, one or more of the internal braces32extend vertically and one or more of the internal braces32extend diagonally within the space of the hollow can30. In the example illustrated, two internal braces32are located within the space of each hollow can30and cooperate to form an X shape. The two internal braces32are fixed to each other at a middle portion, thereby forming a unitized structure. Each internal brace32includes an inner section32aand outer ends32b. The outer ends32bare fixed to a respective wall and include a width that is greater than a width of the inner section32a. Mounting walls46are located between the hollow cans30and extend in a vertical direction. The mounting walls46include mounting features48. In the example illustrated, the mounting features48comprise one or more apertures. Fasteners (not shown) are configured to extend through the mounting features48and the back panel18, thereby removably securing the structure20to the back panel18.

An outer wall50extends from the hollow cans30and upper walls52of the body26and includes a vertical portion50aand a horizontal portion50bextending perpendicular to the vertical portion50a. The horizontal portion50bextends toward the back panel18at least partially over the hollow cans30, the upper walls52and the lower wall35. With reference toFIGS.4and5, the stiffening ribs34extend vertically and are fixed to the outer wall50, the upper walls52, and the hollow cans30. That is, some of the stiffening ribs34are fixed to the outer wall50and the upper wall of the hollow cans30, and some of the stiffening ribs34are fixed to the outer wall50and the upper walls52. In this way, the stiffening ribs34, the hollow cans30, the internal braces32, the mounting walls46, and the lower wall35cooperate to inhibit deflection of the body26in a vertical direction when a vertical force is applied to the structure20. In one example, the vertical force comprises a person stepping on the vehicle fascia22, for example. In the example illustrated, reinforcement beams58aextend in a transverse direction of the vehicle10and connect two or more of the stiffening ribs34to each other. One or more reinforcement beams58bextend diagonally and are fixed to the outer wall50and a respective upper wall52. In the example illustrated, the reinforcement beams58bare located at respective ends59of the structure20.

With reference toFIGS.2-7, the energy absorber assembly28extends from the vertical portion50aof the outer wall50in a rearward direction such that the energy absorber assembly28extends further in the rearward direction than the body26. In the example illustrated, the energy absorber assembly28also extends further in the rearward direction than the bumper beam17. In some forms, the bumper beam17extends further in the rearward direction than the energy absorber assembly28. The energy absorber assembly28is located above the bumper beam17and the hollow cans30and includes arcuate absorber elements60,62located along a substantial length of the body26. The absorber elements60,62are configured to deform laterally upon a vehicle impact in a longitudinal direction, thereby absorbing energy and distributing loads away from the back panel18and the vehicle frame.

In the example illustrated, the absorber elements60,62are cantilevered to the vertical portion50aof the outer wall50and have a sinusoidal shape. In the example illustrated, the absorber elements60,62have a substantially thin profile with a cylindrical central portion. In some forms, the absorber elements60,62have a thin, uniform profile. As shown inFIG.8, the absorber elements60are configured to deform in a first lateral direction X1upon a vehicle impact event with a barrier63and the absorber elements62are configured to deform in a second lateral direction X2opposite the first lateral direction X1upon the vehicle impact event with the barrier63. With reference toFIG.5, the absorber elements60comprise inner absorber elements60aand outer absorber elements60b. The inner absorber element60aare located at or near a center axis A of the vehicle10and the outer absorber elements60bare located at or near a respective end59of the structure20.

In the example illustrated, the outer absorber elements60bhave a length that is greater than a length of the inner absorber elements60a. In some forms, the inner absorber elements60ahave a length that is greater than a length of the outer absorber elements60b. The absorber elements60a,60bcomprise a first end fixed to the vertical portion50aof the outer wall50and a second end fixed to an outer connecting member66extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle10. In this way, the absorber elements60and the connecting member66form a unitized structure located on a side of the center axis A of the vehicle10. The absorber elements60are orientated to facilitate deformation in the first lateral direction X1. That is, the absorber elements60extend laterally in the first lateral direction X1as the absorber elements60extend from the first end toward the second end.

The structure and function of the absorber elements62are similar to absorber elements60described above, and therefore, will not be described again in detail. As shown inFIGS.2and6, a flange67extends downward from an end of the lower wall35and abuts against the back panel18. Braces68are fixed to the flange67and the lower wall35, thereby improving the stiffness of the body26. Although the structure20is shown and described secured to the back panel18of the rear end assembly16, the structure20can be secured to a panel of a front end assembly (not shown) of the vehicle10without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.