Reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly and methods for operating the same

• US 8,047,572 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2010
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Massey, Cameron G., Carter, William Barvosa, McKnight, Geoffrey P., Jacobsen, Alan J., Browne, Alan L., Johnson, Nancy L., Herrera, Guillermo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Toan C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spisich; George D.
• Application Number:
  US12/862,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20100314860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 280/748, 280/751, 280/752, 280/753, 180/274, 293/107, 293/110, 296/187.04, 296/187.05, 297/216.1, 297/216.12, 297/216.13
• US Class Current: 280/753
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0407 using gas or liquid as energy absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/04 Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings

Abstract

A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

Claims

1. An energy absorbing assembly, comprising:

a support structure;

a flexible covering operatively connected to the support structure and at least partially defining an interior region;

an energy absorbing material disposed in the interior region;

a flexible member comprising an active material, disposed within the interior region and configured to change in size or shape in response to an activation signal;

wherein the flexible member includes piezoelectric material disposed thereon.

2. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of foam, fabric, and rubber.

3. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing assembly forms a door pillar surface, a headrest surface, a floor surface, a seat surface, a dashboard surface, a steering wheel surface, a door surface, a ceiling surface, or a combination comprising at least two of the foregoing interior vehicle surfaces.

4. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the covering is elastic.

5. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing material is between the flexible member and the covering.

6. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is a strip and is a bimorph actuator.

7. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is configured to assume a convex shape in response to the activation signal.

8. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body defining an interior surface;

an energy absorbing assembly including support structure, a flexible cover operatively connected to the support structure and at least partially defining an interior region, an energy absorbing material disposed in the interior region, a flexible member disposed within the interior region and configured to change in size or shape in response to an activation signal;

wherein the interior surface is operatively connected to the energy absorbing assembly such that said change in size or shape of the flexible member expands the interior surface; and

wherein the flexible member includes piezoelectric material disposed thereon.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the interior surface is one of a door pillar surface, a headrest surface, a floor surface, a seat surface, a dashboard surface, a steering wheel surface, a door surface, and a ceiling surface.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the flexible covering is elastic.

11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the flexible covering defines the interior surface.

12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the energy absorbing material is between the flexible member and the covering.

13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the flexible member is a strip and is a bimorph actuator.

14. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the flexible member is configured to assume a convex shape in response to the activation signal.

15. An energy absorbing assembly, comprising:

a support structure;

a flexible covering operatively connected to the support structure and at least partially defining an interior region;

an energy absorbing material disposed in the interior region;

a flexible member disposed within the interior region and configured to change in size or shape in response to an activation signal;

wherein the flexible member includes piezoelectric material disposed thereon.