CA2194195C - Energy absorbing bolster for vehicle door - Google Patents
Energy absorbing bolster for vehicle door Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2194195C CA2194195C CA 2194195 CA2194195A CA2194195C CA 2194195 C CA2194195 C CA 2194195C CA 2194195 CA2194195 CA 2194195 CA 2194195 A CA2194195 A CA 2194195A CA 2194195 C CA2194195 C CA 2194195C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bolster
- side walls
- outer walls
- vehicle door
- energy absorbing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J5/00—Doors
- B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
- B60J5/042—Reinforcement elements
- B60J5/0451—Block or short strip-type elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/04—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
- B60R21/0428—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings associated with the side doors or panels, e.g. displaced towards the occupants in case of a side collision
Abstract
Energy absorbing bolsters for vehicle doors are usually formed of non-recyclable foam plastic and/or metal. A
relatively simple bolster, which can be formed of recyclable plastic, includes a hollow body with a hole therein for equalizing interior and exterior pressure, and permitting limited flexing of the body, and reinforcing ribs on the outer and side walls of the body, so that the latter can be relatively thin walled.
relatively simple bolster, which can be formed of recyclable plastic, includes a hollow body with a hole therein for equalizing interior and exterior pressure, and permitting limited flexing of the body, and reinforcing ribs on the outer and side walls of the body, so that the latter can be relatively thin walled.
Description
This invention relates to an energy absorbing bolster for a vehicle door.
Examples of energy absorbing structures for use in automotive vehicle doors are found in U.S. Patents Nos.
3,808,743, which issued to H. Renner et al on May 7, 1974;
3,964,208, which issued to H. Renner et al on June 22, 1976;
3,989,275, which issued to P.M. Finch et al on November 2, 1976; 5,066,064, which issued to P. Garnweidner on November 19, 1991; 5,098,124, which issued to D.S. Breed et al on March 24, 1992; 5,102,163, which issued to T. Ishikawa on April 7, 1992; 5,141,279, which issued to P.A. Weller on August 25, 1992; 5,154,445, which issued to P.A. Weller on October 13, 1992; 5,306,066, which issued to D.G. Saathoff on April 26, 1994; 5,306,068, which issued to T. Nakae et al on April 26, 1994; 5,395,135, which issued to G.G. Lim et al on March 7, 1995; 5,435,619, which issued to T. Nakae et al on July 25, 1995 and 5,542,738, which issued to L.A. Walker et al on August 6, 1996.
As the above-referenced patents illustrate, in the past, vehicle doors were produced with metal reinforcing bars to absorb the shock of an impact from the side of the vehicle.
More recently, such reinforcing bars were replaced by or supplemented with energy absorbing bolsters formed of foam plastic, e.g. polyurethane and even hollow, plastic bolsters.
While existing plastic energy absorbing devices may perform in a satisfactory manner, they are usually formed of a material which is neither biodegradable nor recyclable.
The object-of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above described problem in the form of a simple, hollow, energy absorbing bolster formed of a recyclable plastic.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an energy absorbing bolster for a vehicle door comprising hollow, blow molded plastic body means for mounting in a vehicle door;
a hole in said body means for equalizing interior and exterior air pressure and permitting limited flexing of said body means; and reinforcing rib means on said body means.
The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of an automobile containing energy absorbing bolsters in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the door area of an automobile containing an energy absorbing bolster in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of the bolster of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a cross-section taken generally along line III-III of Fig. 3;
Figure 5 is a cross-section of a mounting recess in the bolster of Figs. 3 and 4; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the bolster of the present invention; and
Examples of energy absorbing structures for use in automotive vehicle doors are found in U.S. Patents Nos.
3,808,743, which issued to H. Renner et al on May 7, 1974;
3,964,208, which issued to H. Renner et al on June 22, 1976;
3,989,275, which issued to P.M. Finch et al on November 2, 1976; 5,066,064, which issued to P. Garnweidner on November 19, 1991; 5,098,124, which issued to D.S. Breed et al on March 24, 1992; 5,102,163, which issued to T. Ishikawa on April 7, 1992; 5,141,279, which issued to P.A. Weller on August 25, 1992; 5,154,445, which issued to P.A. Weller on October 13, 1992; 5,306,066, which issued to D.G. Saathoff on April 26, 1994; 5,306,068, which issued to T. Nakae et al on April 26, 1994; 5,395,135, which issued to G.G. Lim et al on March 7, 1995; 5,435,619, which issued to T. Nakae et al on July 25, 1995 and 5,542,738, which issued to L.A. Walker et al on August 6, 1996.
As the above-referenced patents illustrate, in the past, vehicle doors were produced with metal reinforcing bars to absorb the shock of an impact from the side of the vehicle.
More recently, such reinforcing bars were replaced by or supplemented with energy absorbing bolsters formed of foam plastic, e.g. polyurethane and even hollow, plastic bolsters.
While existing plastic energy absorbing devices may perform in a satisfactory manner, they are usually formed of a material which is neither biodegradable nor recyclable.
The object-of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above described problem in the form of a simple, hollow, energy absorbing bolster formed of a recyclable plastic.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an energy absorbing bolster for a vehicle door comprising hollow, blow molded plastic body means for mounting in a vehicle door;
a hole in said body means for equalizing interior and exterior air pressure and permitting limited flexing of said body means; and reinforcing rib means on said body means.
The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of an automobile containing energy absorbing bolsters in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the door area of an automobile containing an energy absorbing bolster in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of the bolster of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a cross-section taken generally along line III-III of Fig. 3;
Figure 5 is a cross-section of a mounting recess in the bolster of Figs. 3 and 4; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the bolster of the present invention; and
2 .. 2i94i95 Figures 7 and 8 are isometric views of a third embodiment of the bolster of the present invention.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the energy absorbing bolster of the present invention which is generally indicated at 1 is intended for use in the doors 2 of an automotive vehicle 3. As mentioned above, the bolster 1 is intended to absorb shocks or energy as a result of an impact against either side of the vehicle, i.e. against either of the doors 2. As is well known from the prior art, the presence of the bolsters 1 in the doors 2 provides additional protection for passengers seated in the seats 4 of the vehicle 3.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, one embodiment of the bolster 1 includes a hollow, blow molded, plastic body 6. The body 6 is defined by inner and outer walls 7 and 8, respectively, which are interconnected by a side wall 10. An air hole 11 is provided in the wall 7 for equalizing the pressure inside and outside of the body 6. A pair of spaced apart recesses 13 with holes 14 in the bottom center thereof are also provided in the inner wall 7 of the body 6 for receiving screws or other fasteners (not shown).
The body 6 is reinforced by a plurality of exterior ribs 15 extending longitudinally and transversely of the body.
The ribs 15 are formed during the blow molding process, and make it possible to use relatively little material in the bolster, i.e. to make relatively strong, thin walled bolsters.
While the bolster illustrated in Fig. 3 has a particular shape and tapers from end to end, it will be appreciated that the dimensions and the shape of the bolster
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the energy absorbing bolster of the present invention which is generally indicated at 1 is intended for use in the doors 2 of an automotive vehicle 3. As mentioned above, the bolster 1 is intended to absorb shocks or energy as a result of an impact against either side of the vehicle, i.e. against either of the doors 2. As is well known from the prior art, the presence of the bolsters 1 in the doors 2 provides additional protection for passengers seated in the seats 4 of the vehicle 3.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, one embodiment of the bolster 1 includes a hollow, blow molded, plastic body 6. The body 6 is defined by inner and outer walls 7 and 8, respectively, which are interconnected by a side wall 10. An air hole 11 is provided in the wall 7 for equalizing the pressure inside and outside of the body 6. A pair of spaced apart recesses 13 with holes 14 in the bottom center thereof are also provided in the inner wall 7 of the body 6 for receiving screws or other fasteners (not shown).
The body 6 is reinforced by a plurality of exterior ribs 15 extending longitudinally and transversely of the body.
The ribs 15 are formed during the blow molding process, and make it possible to use relatively little material in the bolster, i.e. to make relatively strong, thin walled bolsters.
While the bolster illustrated in Fig. 3 has a particular shape and tapers from end to end, it will be appreciated that the dimensions and the shape of the bolster
3 can be altered to suit a variety of doors. The shape and dimensions of the bolster must be such that the bolster does not impede movement of the vehicle window in the door 2.
In the following description of second and third embodiments of the invention, wherever possible the reference numerals of Figs. 3 and 4 have been used to identify the same or similar elements.
Referring to Fig. 6, a second embodiment of the invention, which is generally indicated at 17 includes a hollow body 6 similar to the body of Figs. 3 and 4, except that the side wall 10 is provided with accordion pleats 18 extending around the periphery thereof. The pleats 18 provide flexibility to the side wall 10. The number and stiffness of the pleats 19 can be varied depending upon the desired energy absorbing properties of the bolster. In the second embodiment of the invention, the exterior ribs 15 do not extend along the side wall 10, since the ribs would interfere with the flexing permitted by the pleats 18.
With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, a third embodiment of the invention includes a generally kidney-shaped body 20.
The body 20 is defined by inner and outer walls 21 and 22, respectively which are interconnected by an integral side wall 24. All of the corners of the body 20 are rounded. An air hole 25 is provided in the inner wall 21 for equalizing pressure inside and outside of the body 20. The hole 25 is surrounded by an annular projection or rib 26, which also serves to reinforce the body 20. Additional reinforcing ribs 28, are provided on the inner and outer walls 21 and 22 of the
In the following description of second and third embodiments of the invention, wherever possible the reference numerals of Figs. 3 and 4 have been used to identify the same or similar elements.
Referring to Fig. 6, a second embodiment of the invention, which is generally indicated at 17 includes a hollow body 6 similar to the body of Figs. 3 and 4, except that the side wall 10 is provided with accordion pleats 18 extending around the periphery thereof. The pleats 18 provide flexibility to the side wall 10. The number and stiffness of the pleats 19 can be varied depending upon the desired energy absorbing properties of the bolster. In the second embodiment of the invention, the exterior ribs 15 do not extend along the side wall 10, since the ribs would interfere with the flexing permitted by the pleats 18.
With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, a third embodiment of the invention includes a generally kidney-shaped body 20.
The body 20 is defined by inner and outer walls 21 and 22, respectively which are interconnected by an integral side wall 24. All of the corners of the body 20 are rounded. An air hole 25 is provided in the inner wall 21 for equalizing pressure inside and outside of the body 20. The hole 25 is surrounded by an annular projection or rib 26, which also serves to reinforce the body 20. Additional reinforcing ribs 28, are provided on the inner and outer walls 21 and 22 of the
4 w--- 2 ? 9 419 5 body 20. The ribs 28 have a variety of shapes, including straight, generally U-shaped, generally V-shaped, generally W-shaped and generally M-shaped. The ribs 28 extend from the walls 21 and 22 around the edges of the body to the side wall 24. Tabs (not shown) are provided on the side wall 24 for mounting the body 20 in a vehicle door. The precise form of the mounting means is not important.
The use of a blow molded plastic energy absorbing bolster provides distinct advantages over solid or foam bolsters, including the fact that the bolster can be produced using a recyclable thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin).
The preferred wall thickness of the body 6 is 1 to 6 mm. As in the case of the shape and dimensions, the wall thickness will depend upon various factors including the desired flexibility of the bolster.
The use of a blow molded plastic energy absorbing bolster provides distinct advantages over solid or foam bolsters, including the fact that the bolster can be produced using a recyclable thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin).
The preferred wall thickness of the body 6 is 1 to 6 mm. As in the case of the shape and dimensions, the wall thickness will depend upon various factors including the desired flexibility of the bolster.
5
Claims (7)
1. An energy absorbing bolster for a vehicle door comprising a hollow, blow molded, thermoplastic body for mounting in a vehicle door; a hole in said body for equalizing interior and exterior air pressure and permitting limited flexing of said body; and a plurality of reinforcing ribs on said body, said reinforcing ribs extending longitudinally and transversely of the exterior of the body.
2. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said body includes parallel inner and outer walls; side walls extending between said inner and outer walls, and accordion pleats in said side walls permitting flexing of said side walls when the outer wall of the bolster is subjected to pressure.
3. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said body is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and thermoplastic polyolefin.
4. The bolster of claim 3, wherein said body has a wall thickness of 1 to 6 mm.
5. The bolster of claim 4, wherein said body includes parallel inner and outer walls; side walls extending between said inner and outer walls, said ribs extending longitudinally and transversely of said outer walls and transversely of said side walls.
6. The bolster of claim 5, including a recess in said outer wall for receiving a fastener far mounting the body in the vehicle door.
7. The bolster of claim 4, wherein said body is generally kidney-shaped and includes inner and outer walls; and side walls interconnecting said inner and outer walls, said ribs having a variety of shapes.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2194195 CA2194195C (en) | 1996-12-31 | 1996-12-31 | Energy absorbing bolster for vehicle door |
| GB9726357A GB2321438B (en) | 1996-12-31 | 1997-12-12 | Energy absorbing bolster for vehicle door |
| DE1997156991 DE19756991B4 (en) | 1996-12-31 | 1997-12-20 | Energy absorbing damper for vehicle doors |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2194195 CA2194195C (en) | 1996-12-31 | 1996-12-31 | Energy absorbing bolster for vehicle door |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2194195A1 CA2194195A1 (en) | 1998-06-30 |
| CA2194195C true CA2194195C (en) | 2005-09-20 |
Family
ID=4159572
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2194195 Expired - Fee Related CA2194195C (en) | 1996-12-31 | 1996-12-31 | Energy absorbing bolster for vehicle door |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2194195C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19756991B4 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2321438B (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6698819B1 (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2004-03-02 | Lear Corporation | Pneumatic pressure molded impact countermeasure |
| DE102006005924B4 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2008-06-05 | Takata-Petri Ag | Structural stiffening device for a body of a motor vehicle and a method for structural reinforcement of a body of a motor vehicle |
| WO2017034498A1 (en) * | 2015-08-26 | 2017-03-02 | Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi Anonim Sirketi | Pp material door panel energy absorber |
| US10336276B2 (en) | 2017-01-05 | 2019-07-02 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Energy absorber with varying stiffness |
| DE102022102423A1 (en) | 2022-02-02 | 2022-12-15 | Audi Aktiengesellschaft | Door lining for a motor vehicle door |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT394004B (en) * | 1990-06-25 | 1992-01-27 | Austria Metall | SHOCK ABSORBERS, ESPECIALLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES |
| US5382051A (en) * | 1991-08-28 | 1995-01-17 | Concept Analysis Corporation | Pneumatic pads for the interior of vehicles |
| US5141279A (en) * | 1991-09-23 | 1992-08-25 | Davidson Textron Inc. | Side impact protection apparatus |
| US5154445A (en) * | 1991-09-23 | 1992-10-13 | Davidson Textron Inc. | Constant force air cushion arrangement for automotive side impact protection |
| DE59704565D1 (en) * | 1996-03-02 | 2001-10-18 | Volkswagen Ag | Energy absorption body |
| DE29703843U1 (en) * | 1997-03-04 | 1997-05-22 | Ges Innenhochdruckverfahren | Deformation element |
-
1996
- 1996-12-31 CA CA 2194195 patent/CA2194195C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-12-12 GB GB9726357A patent/GB2321438B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-12-20 DE DE1997156991 patent/DE19756991B4/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2321438B (en) | 2001-03-21 |
| DE19756991A1 (en) | 1998-07-02 |
| DE19756991B4 (en) | 2005-08-04 |
| GB9726357D0 (en) | 1998-02-11 |
| CA2194195A1 (en) | 1998-06-30 |
| GB2321438A (en) | 1998-07-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |