CROSS-CAR BEAM SYSTEMS

摘要

A beam system of telescoping tubes is disclosed for absorbing side impacts to a passenger vehicle. A central outer tube is attached to a vehicle seat structure and extends between, e.g., a side door and the tunnel in the passenger compartment floor. Inner tubes in each end of the outer tube are moved between retracted positions to extended positions respectively engaging said tunnel and said door during vehicle operation. Each inner tube has a tapered piston carrying rolling elements for wedging against the outer tube for energy absorption upon a side impact.