Automotive collision energy dissipation device
First Claim
1. An automotive energy dissipation device, comprising:
- an impermeable bladder disposed adjacent to an interior surface of a fixed body panel of an automobile;
a protective liner disposed between the impermeable bladder and the body panel;
a valve for permanently inflating the impermeable bladder upon installation; and
a pressure relief valve associated with the impermeable bladder, wherein pressure within the impermeable bladder exceeding a preset limit attributable to compression during an impact is released only through the pressure relief valve thereby dissipating energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automotive energy dissipation device includes a bladder disposed adjacent to an interior surface of a body panel of an automobile. A protective liner is disposed between the bladder and the body panel. A valve for inflating the bladder is associated with the bladder. Additionally, a pressure relief valve is associated with the bladder. The automotive energy dissipation device functions when pressure within the bladder exceeding a preset limit attributable to compression during an impact is released through the pressure relief valve. As air exits the pressure relief valve it dissipates energy. This in turn reduces the damage and severity of a crash thereby better protecting the occupants from injury.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automotive energy dissipation device, comprising:
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an impermeable bladder disposed adjacent to an interior surface of a fixed body panel of an automobile; a protective liner disposed between the impermeable bladder and the body panel; a valve for permanently inflating the impermeable bladder upon installation; and a pressure relief valve associated with the impermeable bladder, wherein pressure within the impermeable bladder exceeding a preset limit attributable to compression during an impact is released only through the pressure relief valve thereby dissipating energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An automotive energy dissipation device, comprising:
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a bladder disposed adjacent to an interior surface of a fixed body panel of an automobile; a protective liner disposed between the bladder and the body panel, wherein the protective liner comprises a resiliently flexible and rupture resistant plastic, and wherein the bladder and protective liner are substantially similarly shaped; a valve for permanently inflating the bladder upon installation; and a pressure relief valve associated with the bladder, wherein pressure within the bladder exceeding a preset limit attributable to compression during an impact is released only through the pressure relief valve thereby dissipating energy. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An automotive energy dissipation device, comprising:
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an impermeable bladder disposed adjacent to an interior surface of a fixed body panel of an automobile; a protective liner disposed between the impermeable bladder and the body panel, wherein the protective liner comprises an outside portion and an inside portion, the outside portion comprising stiffening channels and the inside portion comprising a supporting mesh pattern; a valve for permanently inflating the impermeable bladder upon installation; and a pressure relief valve associated with the impermeable bladder, wherein pressure within the impermeable bladder exceeding a preset limit attributable to compression during an impact is released only through the pressure relief valve thereby dissipating energy. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification