Patent ID: 8827352

Claim:
A system, for controlling displacement of a vulnerable component in connection with an impact event at the system, comprising: a frame structure; the vulnerable component; a composite crush member connected to the frame structure and the vulnerable component, forming a first close connection between the composite crush member and the vulnerable component and a second close connection between the composite crush member and the frame structure, the composite crush member: comprising primarily a polymer composite; and being configured and arranged in the system to fail in a predetermined manner in response to the impact event; and a retention feature configured and connected to the vulnerable component and to the frame structure to, in operation of the system, maintain at least one of the first close connection, between the composite crush member and the vulnerable component, and the second close connection, between the composite crush member and the frame structure, during and immediately following the composite crush member failing in the predetermined manner in response to the impact event at the system; wherein the retention feature comprises: an opening in a surface of the system, being an opening of the vulnerable component; and a projection extending from the composite crush member and being positioned adjacent the opening and configured and arranged in the system to, in connection with the impact event, engage an edge of the opening.