Impact energy absorbing structure for vehicle cabin

• US 6,050,631 A
• Filed: 05/30/1997
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Ryosuke, Ishikawa, Katsutoshi, Moriyasu, Ikumasa, Nakahama, Ryoji, Tsuchihara, Hajime, Suzuki, Naoyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US08/793,537
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 296/189, 296/39.1, 296/188, 296/203, 296/146.6, 296/146.7, 280/748, 280/751, 280/752
• US Class Current: 296/187.05
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0206 Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings devices for fastening or securing F16B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/06 Sealing strips sealing arrangements for vehicle windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors, or similar devices B60J10/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0414 using energy absorbing ribs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0435 associated with the side or roof pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/04 Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06

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).

Claims

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.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface is a pillar.

3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein said pillar includes at least one flange portion, and said side edge portion and said second impact absorbing ribs cover said at least one flange portion.

4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said first impact absorbing ribs are formed integrally with said trim member.

5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said second impact absorbing ribs are formed integrally with said side edge portion.

6. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said trim member, said side edge portion, and said first and second ribs are made of a resilient material.

7. The structure according to claim 6, wherein said trim member, said side edge portion, and said first and second ribs are made of a resin material.

8. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said lattice structure includes a honeycomb structure extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said trim member.

9. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said lattice structure includes a plurality of hollow rectangular structure extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said trim member.

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:

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.

11. The structure according to claim 10, wherein said structural member is a pillar formed of the inner member and the outer member joined together at flange portion provided on the side portion of the inner and outer members, and

the front portion of said trim member faces the inboard front portion of the pillar and the side edge portion faces the inboard side edge portion of the pillar, such that said trim member covers an inboard side of the pillar.

12. The structure according to claim 11, wherein the inboard side edge portion is formed on the inner member of the pillar.

13. The structure according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said edge impact absorbing ribs and said trim member are integrally formed with a resin material.

14. The structure according to claim 11, further comprising:

front impact absorbing ribs arranged between the inboard front portion of the pillar and said front portion of said trim member, such that impact energy applied in an outboard sideway direction to said trim member can be absorbed.

15. The structure according to claim 14, wherein said edge impact absorbing ribs and said front impact absorbing ribs are formed in a honeycomb structure extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said trim member, and

said front impact absorbing ribs arranged between the inboard front portion of the pillar and said front portion of said trim member, such that impact energy applied in an outboard sideway direction to said trim member can be absorbed.

16. The structure according to claim 15, wherein said front impact absorbing ribs are formed by connecting plural vertical ribs in a longitudinal direction of said pillar, with plural lateral ribs extending in a lateral direction of said pillar, to form a honeycomb structure.

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:

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.