Patent ID: 6886779

Claim:
An impact-absorbing, load-limiting connection device, comprising: a first connection structure; a second connection structure, at least one of the first and second connection structures being moveable with respect to the other in a predetermined direction of movement corresponding to an anticipated main impact direction; a guiding mechanism configured to guide at least one of the first and second connection structures along the direction of movement, the guiding mechanism including at least one transverse force-absorbing guide element configured to absorb a force in a direction transverse to the direction of movement; and at least one impact-absorbing, load-limiting sacrificial element disposed between the first connection structure and the second connection structure and uncoupled from a transverse load path of the transverse force-absorbing guide element, wherein the sacrificial element is configured to be deformed and destroyed by a relative movement between the first and second connection structures in the direction of movement upon application of a predetermined maximum load.