Impact energy absorbing structure for vehicle cabin
First Claim
1. An impact energy absorbing structure attached to an inner surface of a cabin of an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- a trim member covering the inner surface;
first impact absorbing ribs, arranged between the inner surface and said trim member, for absorbing impact energy directed from a surface of said trim member toward the inner surface;
a side edge portion, formed integrally with said trim member in a curved shape for covering an edge portion of the inner surface; and
a second impact absorbing ribs, provided between said side edge portion and the edge portion of the inner surface, for absorbing impact energy directed from a surface of said side edge portion toward the edge portion of the inner surface,wherein at least one of said first and second impact absorbing ribs forms a lattice structure extending in a direction towards the inner surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to an impact energy absorbing structure for a cabin of an automotive vehicle. The impact energy absorbing structure is provided with a trim member (10) covering an inboard side of a structural member which constitutes the cabin of the automotive vehicle. An impact absorbing member is interposed between the inboard side of the structural member and the trim member (10), so that impact energy directed from a surface of the trim member (10) toward the structural member can be absorbed. When an occupant of the cabin is about to hit the structural member, impact energy is damped so that the occupant can be protected. The structural member includes a pillar (1) or the like, which constitutes the cabin of the automotive vehicle. The trim member (10) is arranged to cover an inboard side of the pillar (1) or the like. Resin-made ribs (11) or the like can be mentioned as the impact absorbing member. It is possible to design the structure so that impact energy directed from the surface of the trim member (10) toward the pillar (1) or the like can be absorbed through deformation or destruction of these resin-made ribs (11).
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An impact energy absorbing structure attached to an inner surface of a cabin of an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a trim member covering the inner surface; first impact absorbing ribs, arranged between the inner surface and said trim member, for absorbing impact energy directed from a surface of said trim member toward the inner surface; a side edge portion, formed integrally with said trim member in a curved shape for covering an edge portion of the inner surface; and a second impact absorbing ribs, provided between said side edge portion and the edge portion of the inner surface, for absorbing impact energy directed from a surface of said side edge portion toward the edge portion of the inner surface, wherein at least one of said first and second impact absorbing ribs forms a lattice structure extending in a direction towards the inner surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An impact energy absorbing structure for a cabin of an automotive vehicle, the cabin including a structural member having an inner member and an outer member joined together at a flange portion at a side portion thereof, the inner member having an inboard front portion, facing the cabin, and an inboard side edge portion formed adjacent to a base of the flange, comprising:
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a trim member, provided with a front portion facing the inboard front portion, and a side edge portion facing the inboard side edge portion, for covering the inboard front portion and the inboard side edge portion of the structural member; and edge impact absorbing ribs, arranged between said inboard side edge portion and said side edge portion of said trim member, for absorbing impact energy applied at an angle in a direction from a surface of said side edge portion of said trim member toward a vicinity of said flange portion, wherein said edge impact absorbing ribs form a lattice structure extending in a direction towards the inner member. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An impact energy absorbing structure for a cabin of an automotive vehicle, the cabin including a pillar having an inner member and an outer member joined together at a flange portion at a side portion thereof, the inner member having an inboard front portion, facing the cabin, and an inboard side edge portion formed adjacent to a base of the flange, comprising:
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a trim member, provided with a front portion facing the inboard front portion, and a side edge portion facing the inboard side edge portion, for covering the inboard front portion and the inboard side edge portion of the structural member; and edge impact absorbing ribs, arranged between said inboard side edge portion and said side edge portion of said trim member, for absorbing impact energy applied at an angle in a direction from a surface of said side edge portion of said trim member toward a vicinity of said flange portion, wherein said trim member is constructed, such that a free end of a side edge portion of said trim member is located inboard of said flange portion formed on an edge portion of said pillar.
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Specification