Patent US6170872B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6170872B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Deformation element for a motor vehicle dashboard and the like
Assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
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Filing: 1998-03-26
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Granted: 2001-01-09
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Expires: 2018-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A deformation element in a motor vehicle, especially for a dashboard, comprises at least one deformation body with a honeycomb cross section and encloses a cavity which is open on both sides. The wall of the cross section is closed all the way around, and is deformable to absorb energy and is subjected to an impact in the vicinity of one honeycomb side of the cross section for that purpose. The wall of the deformation body is formed from at least two partial sections connected with one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Juergen Bair
- 👤 Georg Bauer
- 👤 Alban Bossenmaier
- 👤 Bernhard Holzapfel
- 👤 Friedrich Reiter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/04; B60R21/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
Deformation element for use in a motor vehicle, comprising at least one deformation body having a honeycomb cross-section with a circumference defining a cavity which is open on sides thereof, a wall of said cross-section being formed into a closed loop comprised of two strap-shaped sections connected together to define the cross section and having ends which extend along the circumference and overlap each other in opposed connecting areas to form a double layer in each of the opposed connecting areas, wherein one of opposed connecting areas forms a wall section arranged to collapse and be subjected to impact upon being struck by a vehicle occupant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
Deformation element for use in a motor vehicle, comprising at least one deformation body having a honeycomb cross-section with a circumference defining a cavity which is open on sides thereof, a wall of said cross-section being formed into a closed loop comprised of two strap-shaped sections connected together to define the cross section and having ends which extend along the circumference and overlap each other in opposed connecting areas to form a double layer in each of the opposed connecting areas, wherein one of opposed connecting areas forms a wall section arranged to collapse and be subjected to impact upon being struck by a vehicle occupant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Deformation element according to claim 1 , wherein the strap-shaped sections have different material thicknesses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Deformation element according to claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional depth of a first honeycomb half located close to the impact is less than that of a second honeycomb half more remote from the impact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Deformation element according to claim 1 , wherein the deformation body has rounded corners and sides which are indented toward a center of the deformation body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Deformation element according to claim 1 , wherein a retaining rib is cut out and bent outward from the wall of the deformation body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Deformation element according to claim 1 , wherein the deformation body is located in the impact direction behind a knee impact protector in an interior of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Deformation element according to claim 1 , wherein the deformation body is supported on the vehicle by at least one lever-type mount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Deformation element according to claim 7 , wherein the force of the impact is initiated into the mount decentrally from the deformation body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Deformation element according to claim 7 , wherein the mount has a higher resistance to deformation than the deformation body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Deformation element according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one deformation body is a plurality of deformation bodies fastened to one another and arranged in a row in an impact direction .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Deformation element according to claim 10 , wherein a circumference of deformation bodies located in the row in the impact direction is reduced in size in comparison with a circumference of a single deformation body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Deformation element according to claim 1 , wherein the overlap in opposite connecting areas is substantially along a direction of the impact.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |