Variable back beam and method of allowing inflator to vary variable back beam in case of collision

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11299116-B2
Application number	US-202016842345-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 7, 2020
Priority date	Sep 6, 2019
Publication date	Apr 12, 2022
Grant date	Apr 12, 2022

Abstract

A variable back beam and a method of allowing an inflator to vary the variable back beam in case of collision. The variable back beam includes a main beam connected to a front end module carrier, an inner beam inserted into each of both sides of the main beam, and an operation member operable to move the inner beam in a vehicle-width direction at the time of left front or right front collision of the vehicle. Since the back beam is extended in length at the time of collision, the impact area or shock absorption area of the back beam can be increased, the impact on the back beam, a crush box, and a collision object can be reduced, and particularly, it is possible to reduce the crush length of the left or right end of the back beam.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A variable back beam for a vehicle, the variable back beam comprising:
a beam of which a length increases in a width direction of the vehicle at a time of left front or right front collision of the vehicle; and
an operation member configured to generate an external force to increase the length of the beam,
wherein the beam comprises:
a main beam connected to a front end module carrier of the vehicle; and
an inner beam inserted into each of both sides of the main beam, and

wherein the operation member is operable to move the inner beam to increase a protruding length of the inner beam from the main beam, and
wherein:
the inner beam comprises a non-exposed part inserted into the main beam and an exposed part exposed out of the main beam, and
the inner beam is bent at a boundary between the non-exposed part and the exposed part.

2. The variable back beam of claim 1 , wherein:
the main beam includes an insertion opening formed on each of two surfaces thereof perpendicular to a ground so that the inside of the main beam is open through the insertion opening to the outside; and
the operation member is mounted inside the main beam through the insertion opening.

3. The variable back beam of claim 2 , wherein:
the main beam includes a fixing hole formed on one surface thereof parallel to the ground so that a bolt fastened to the operation member passes through the fixing hole; and
the main beam includes a reinforcement panel formed on a front surface of the main beam to cover the insertion opening.

4. The variable back beam of claim 1 , wherein a crush box is attached perpendicularly to the main beam on each of both sides of the main beam.

5. The variable back beam of claim 1 , wherein:
a lubricant is applied on surfaces of the non-exposed part; and
the non-exposed part is formed with a connector connected to the operation member at an end of the non-exposed part.

6. The variable back beam of claim 5 , wherein the non-exposed part includes at least one groove formed on the surface of the non-exposed part for collection of the lubricant.

7. The variable back beam of claim 5 , wherein the connector comprises:
a mounting plate formed parallel to a ground inside the end of the non-exposed part; and
an assembly hole formed on a side of the non-exposed part so as to be parallel to the mounting plate.

8. The variable back beam of claim 1 , wherein the operation member comprises:
a push bracket fastened to the inner beam;
an inflator configured to move the push bracket at a time of collision; and
a trigger switch for operating the inflator at the time of collision.

9. The variable back beam of claim 8 , wherein the push bracket comprises:
a rod protruding from the inflator and having a fastening port fastened to a connector provided in the inner beam; and
a push bracket head connected to an end of the rod and moving inside the inflator.

10. The variable back beam of claim 8 , wherein:
the push bracket is inserted into each of both longitudinal sides of the inflator;
the inflator is provided, at the center thereof, with powder to move the push bracket by explosion at the time of collision; and
the inflator is provided with a squib for exploding the powder in response to an external signal.

11. The variable back beam of claim 10 , wherein:
the inflator comprises a cylinder body into which the end of the push bracket is inserted; and
the cylinder body has a vent hole for discharge of gas generated during explosion of the powder.

12. The variable back beam of claim 10 , wherein:
an energy absorber is mounted in front of the main beam;
the trigger switch comprises a cable extending from the squib to the energy absorber and a switch part connected to the cable while having one or more piezoelectric elements; and
the cable is connected to a power source of the vehicle.

13. The variable back beam of claim 12 , wherein:
the switch part is in the form of a bar having a predetermined length;
the one or more piezoelectric elements are mounted to the switch part while being spaced at a distance; and
the switch part is mounted to a slit formed on an upper surface of the energy absorber.

14. A method of allowing an inflator to vary a variable back beam for a vehicle in case of collision with an object, the method comprising the steps of:
sensing a collision of a left front or right front of the vehicle with the object;
communicating between a power source of the vehicle and a squib by a trigger switch provided in an energy absorber;
exploding powder filled in an inflator by electric power applied to the squib; and
increasing a length of a beam positioned behind the energy absorber in a width direction of the vehicle by inflation pressure generated in the inflator;
wherein the beam comprises a main beam connected to a crush box and an inner beam inserted into each of both sides of the main beam, and
wherein:
the inner beam comprises a non-exposed part inserted into the main beam and an exposed part exposed out of the main beam, and

the inner beam is bent at a boundary between the non-exposed part and the exposed part.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein:
in the step of increasing a length of a beam positioned behind the energy absorber in a width direction of the vehicle by inflation pressure generated in the inflator, the inner beam is moved by the inflation pressure such that a protruding length of the inner beam from the main beam increases.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein in the step of increasing a length of a beam positioned behind the energy absorber in a width direction of the vehicle by inflation pressure generated in the inflator, gas generated in the inflator is discharged through a vent hole to an outside.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein:
the trigger switch comprises two piezoelectric elements; and
in the step of communicating between a power source of the vehicle and a squib by a trigger switch, the electric power of the vehicle is applied to the squib when a load is applied to the two piezoelectric elements.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Motors Corp

Inventors

• Kang Seung-Kyu
• Choi Dae-Hyun
• Ryu Sung-Ung

Classifications

• B60R2019/1806

  Structural beams therefor, e.g. shock-absorbing · CPC title

• B62D25/085

  Front-end modules · CPC title

• B60R2019/186

  Additional energy absorbing means supported on bumber beams, e.g. cellular structures or material · CPC title

• B60R19/04 Primary

  formed from more than one section {in a side-by-side arrangement} · CPC title

• B60R16/03

  for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems {or for (circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00)} · CPC title