Deformation member arranged in the impact area of the knee

• US 4,273,359 A
• Filed: 12/20/1979
• Issued: 06/16/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Brambilla, Luigi, Backhaus, Hans-Gerd, Scholz, Hansjurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US06/105,706
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728, 280/743, 280/748, 280/749, 280/752, 280/751, 280/753, 280/730, 280/740, 188/1 C, 293/107, 428/182
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/045 associated with the instrument panel or dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards

Abstract

An impact absorbing device constructed as a hollow body member and extending in a vehicle transverse direction within in an impact area of knees of a driver and co-driver of a motor vehicle. The impact absorbing device has an impact engaging surface facing the knees, with the surface having a rounded-off cross sectional profile and vertically extending corrugations so that the member yields only locally upon engagement by the knees.

Claims

1. An impact absorbing device for engagement by knees of an occupant of a vehicle during collision, the device comprising a plastically deformable, hollow body member extending in a vehicle transverse direction, said member having an impact engaging surface facing said knees, said surface having a rounded-off cross sectional profile and vertically extending corrugations whereby said member yields only locally upon engagement by said knees.

2. An impact absorbing device according to claim 1, wherein a deformation zone is provided which includes an impact distribution layer arranged between an outer surface of the hollow body member and a cover layer of the deformation zone.

3. An impact absorbing device according to claim 1, wherein laterally arranged cover means are mounted on respective ends of the hollow body member for producing a closed-off hollow space.

4. An impact absorbing device according to claim 3, wherein the hollow space is filled with a gas that is under a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure.

5. An impact absorbing device according to claim 4, wherein at least one discharge opening means is provided for intentionally reducing the interior pressure in a predetermined manner after reaching a predetermined value.

6. An impact absorbing device according to claim 4, wherein an excess pressure is built up in the hollow space only upon triggering of a sensor means responding to predetermined criteria.

7. An impact absorbing device according to claim 6, wherein a channel means is located outside of the impact engaging surface and is provided with openings directed toward the hollow space, said channel means being adapted to supply the gas to the hollow space.

8. An impact absorbing device according to claim 7, wherein means are provided for closing off said last-mentioned openings after a predetermined pressure build-up in the hollow space.

9. An impact absorbing device according to claim 8, wherein said means for closing off said openings include check valve flap means of a flexible material.

10. An impact absorbing device according to claim 8, wherein a partition means extends inside of the hollow space for forming the channel means.

11. An impact absorbing device according to claim 8, wherein the channel means is mounted on the hollow body member.

12. An impact absorbing device according to claim 8, wherein openings directed toward a head space of the vehicle are provided in the channel means through which the gas passes over into an inflatable bag serving for absorbing an upper body of a passenger of the motor vehicle.

13. An impact absorbing device according to claim 12, wherein at least one discharge opening means is provided for intentionally reducing the inerior pressure in a predetermined manner after reaching a predetermined value.

14. An impact absorbing device according to claim 13, wherein a deformation zone is provided which includes an impact distribution layer arranged between an outer surface of the hollow body member and a cover layer of the deformation zone.

15. An impact absorbing device according to claim 1, wherein a channel means is located outside of the impact engaging surface and is provided with openings directed toward the hollow space, said channel means being adapted to supply a gas to the hollow space.

16. An impact absorbing device according to claim 15, wherein means are provided for closing off said openings after a predetermined pressure build-up in the hollow space by check valve flap means of a flexible material.

17. An impact absorbing device according to claim 15, wherein a partition means extends inside the hollow space for forming the channel means.

18. An impact absorbing device according to claim 15, wherein the channel means is mounted on the hollow body member.

19. An impact absorbing device according to claim 15, wherein openings directed toward a head space of the vehicle are provided in the channel means through which the gas passes over into an inflatable bag serving for absorbing an upper body of a passenger of the motor vehicle.