Abstract:
In one embodiment, a corner energy absorber, comprises: a plurality of layers with a plurality of ribs connecting the layers, wherein the layers and ribs comprise a first thermoplastic material; a composite insert comprising a second plastic material and reinforcement, wherein the second plastic material is different than the first thermoplastic material, and wherein the composite insert is disposed in the layers, the ribs, or both; an extension configured to extend into the end of a bumper beam.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, an energy absorber element can comprise: a first support wall and a second support wall, a crush wall joining the first and second support walls together to define a deformable zone; a connection mechanism configured to connect the first and/or second support wall to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for using an energy absorber element in a vehicle can comprise: detachably connecting an energy absorber element to a vehicle at a support location for a vehicle component, once the energy absorber element has absorbed energy, detaching the energy absorber element from the vehicle; and separately replacing the energy absorber element from the vehicle component. In some embodiments, the vehicle component is not replaced.
Abstract:
A structural body of a vehicle comprises: a hollow component comprising walls that define a channel, wherein the component has a component length, and wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of beam, rail (58), pillar (50,52,54,5), chassis, floor rocker (60), and cross-bar, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; and a plastic-metal hybrid reinforcement (1) having cavities therethrough (14), and a support (6) having greater than or equal to 3 walls forming a support channel. The plastic element (4) is located in the support channel (6) wherein the reinforcement (1) is located in the component channel.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, an energy absorber comprises: a plurality of crush lobes, wherein the base, sides and outer wall comprise a first thermoplastic material; and a composite insert in the energy absorber, wherein the insert comprises a second plastic material and reinforcement, and wherein the composite insert is a separate element that is disposed in located at an area of the crush lobes, wherein the area is the side and/or the outer wall, and wherein the area has an area height and an area width. In an embodiment, a corner energy absorber can comprise: a plurality of layers with a plurality of ribs connecting the layers, wherein the layers and ribs comprise a first thermoplastic material; a composite insert comprising a second plastic material and reinforcement, and wherein the composite insert is a separate element that is disposed in the layers, the ribs, or both.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, an energy absorber comprises: a plurality of crush lobes, wherein the base, sides and outer wall comprise a first thermoplastic material; and a composite insert in the energy absorber, wherein the insert comprises a second plastic material and reinforcement, and wherein the composite insert is a separate element that is disposed in located at an area of the crush lobes, wherein the area is the side and/or the outer wall, and wherein the area has an area height and an area width. In an embodiment, a corner energy absorber can comprise: a plurality of layers with a plurality of ribs connecting the layers, wherein the layers and ribs comprise a first thermoplastic material; a composite insert comprising a second plastic material and reinforcement, and wherein the composite insert is a separate element that is disposed in the layers, the ribs, or both.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, an energy absorber element can comprise: a first support wall and a second support wall, a crush wall joining the first and second support walls together to define a deformable zone; a connection mechanism configured to connect the first and/or second support wall to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for using an energy absorber element in a vehicle can comprise: detachably connecting an energy absorber element to a vehicle at a support location for a vehicle component, once the energy absorber element has absorbed energy, detaching the energy absorber element from the vehicle; and separately replacing the energy absorber element from the vehicle component. In some embodiments, the vehicle component is not replaced.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing a functionally graded polymer material. A method comprises preparing a melted polymer mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a magnetic filler; molding the melted polymer mixture; and applying a magnetic field to a portion of the melted polymer mixture to form the functionally graded article, wherein as the melted polymer mixture flows into the mold, the melted polymer mixture comes into contact with the magnet field. Another method comprises molding the melted polymer mixture; and applying a magnetic field from a first magnet to a first portion of the melted polymer mixture and applying a magnetic field from a second magnet to a second portion of the melted polymer mixture to form the functionally graded article, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are positioned in a manner such that the magnetic field produced by each are nonoverlapping.
Abstract:
A structural body of a vehicle comprises: a hollow component comprising walls that define a channel, wherein the component has a component length, and wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of beam, rail (58), pillar (50,52,54,5), chassis, floor rocker (60), and cross-bar, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; and a plastic-metal hybrid reinforcement (1) having cavities therethrough (14), and a support (6) having greater than or equal to 3 walls forming a support channel. The plastic element (4) is located in the support channel (6) wherein the reinforcement (1) is located in the component channel.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a corner energy absorber, comprises: a plurality of layers with a plurality of ribs connecting the layers, wherein the layers and ribs comprise a first thermoplastic material; a composite insert comprising a second plastic material and reinforcement, wherein the second plastic material is different than the first thermoplastic material, and wherein the composite insert is disposed in the layers, the ribs, or both; an extension configured to extend into the end of a bumper beam.