Deformation element arrangement and motor vehicle having a deformation element arrangement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10112562-B2
Application number	US-201615299502-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 21, 2016
Priority date	Apr 23, 2014
Publication date	Oct 30, 2018
Grant date	Oct 30, 2018

Abstract

A deformation element arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle, having a deformation element and a vibration-generating device. The vibration-generating device is arranged and designed in such a way that the deformation element, when required, can be set in vibration so that a deformation behavior and/or a flow behavior of the deformation element is/can be varied in accordance with a request condition.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A deformation element arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a deformation element, and
a vibration-generating device coupled with the deformation element, wherein
the vibration-generating device is arranged and constructed such that, when required, the deformation element is set in vibration so that a deformation behavior and/or a flow behavior of the deformation element is varied in accordance with a requirement condition,
the deformation element comprises an elastic shell filled with a thixotropic material or a rheopectic material.

2. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein
the deformation element is mountable on the motor vehicle and is constructed such that, in an event of a collision of the motor vehicle with a pedestrian, the deformation element dampens an impact of the pedestrian onto the motor vehicle.

3. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein
the deformation element is adapted for being arranged on a forward vehicle end and/or on a rearward vehicle end.

4. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein
the deformation element is adapted to be arranged on a bumper cross member.

5. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein
the deformation element is adapted to be arranged between a bumper covering and a bumper cross member.

6. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 5 ,
wherein the deformation element extends essentially over an entire width of the bumper cross member.

7. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 4 ,
wherein the deformation element extends essentially over an entire width of the bumper cross member.

8. The deformation element arrangement according to one of claim 1 , comprising:
a control unit which is adapted for controlling the vibration-generating device as a function of a vehicle speed.

9. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein
the control unit is further adapted for controlling or regulating the vibration-generating device as a function of a detection of an imminent collision of the motor vehicle with an object or a pedestrian.

10. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a control unit which is adapted for controlling or regulating the vibration-generating device as a function of a detection of an imminent collision of the motor vehicle with an object or a pedestrian.

11. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein
the control unit activates the vibration-generating device within a speed range of the motor vehicle that is relevant to a pedestrian protection, and thereby increases a deformability and/or a flowability of the deformation element within this speed range.

12. The deformation element according to claim 11 , wherein the speed range is between 20 km/h and 50 km/h.

13. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein
the control unit activates the vibration-generating device when detecting the imminent collision of the motor vehicle with the pedestrian and thereby increases a deformability and/or flowability of the deformation element.

14. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 10 , wherein
the control unit activates the vibration-generating device when detecting the imminent collision of the motor vehicle with the pedestrian and thereby increases a deformability and/or flowability of the deformation element.

15. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein
the vibration-generating device is adapted for generating vibrations in an ultrasonic range by way of at least one piezo actuator.

16. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein
the deformation element has at least one opening, through which the thixotropic material or the rheopectic material is displaceable as a result of an effect of force.

17. The deformation element arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein:
the thixotropic material or the rheopectic material, in a first operating state of the vibration-generating device, is highly viscous or predominantly has properties of a solid material, and
the thixotropic material or the rheopective material, in a second operating state of the vibration-generating device, has low viscosity or predominantly has properties of a fluid.

18. A motor vehicle having a deformation element arrangement according to claim 1 .

19. A deformation element arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a deformation element, and
a vibration-generating device coupled with the deformation element, wherein
the vibration-generating device is arranged and constructed such that, when required, the deformation element is set in vibration so that a deformation behavior and/or a flow behavior of the deformation element is varied in accordance with a requirement condition, and
the vibration-generating device is adapted for utilizing natural vibrations of the motor vehicle in order to set the deformation element in vibration.

Assignees

• Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag

Inventors

• Akif Oeztzan
• Fichtinger Gerhard
• Riedl Wilhelm

Classifications

• B60R19/22

  containing {mainly} cellular material, e.g. solid foam · CPC title

• B60R19/20 Primary

  containing {mainly} gas or liquid, e.g. inflatable (connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00) · CPC title

• B60R19/18

  {characterised by the cross-section;} Means within the bumper to absorb impact · CPC title

• B60R19/023

  Details · CPC title

• B60R2019/007

  Means for adjusting or regulating the crash absorption capacity of the vehicle, e.g. when detecting an impending collision · CPC title