ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO STABILIZE A LATERAL DEFORMATION OF A SIDE PANEL OF A VEHICLE

摘要

A vehicle includes a seat frame rail, a pair of spaced reaction surfaces and an energy management system. The energy management system includes a lateral bar and a spacer. The lateral bar extends along a bar axis, between a pair of ends. The lateral bar is disposed between the reaction surfaces, such that each end of the lateral bar is in facing relationship with a respective reaction surface and the spacer is operatively disposed between the lateral bar and the seat frame rail. The lateral bar is operable to be displaced toward the seat frame rail when compressed between the reaction surfaces, along the bar axis. The spacer is operable to react against the lateral bar and the seat frame rail to transfer loads therebetween, such that the displacement of the lateral bar is resisted by the seat frame rail.

主权项

1. An energy management system for a vehicle having a longitudinally extending seat frame rail and a pair of laterally spaced reaction surfaces, the energy management system comprising:
a lateral bar extending lengthwise, along a bar axis, between a pair of ends; wherein the lateral bar includes a support side; and a spacer operatively supported by the support side of the lateral bar; wherein the energy management system is configured to be operatively disposed between the pair of laterally spaced reaction surfaces, such that each end of the lateral bar is disposed in facing relationship with a respective reaction surface and the spacer is operatively disposed between the lateral bar and the seat frame rail; wherein the lateral bar is operable to displace toward the seat frame rail when compressed between the pair of laterally spaced reaction surfaces, in response to an axial load being applied to one of the reaction surfaces, along the bar axis; and wherein the spacer is operable to react against the lateral bar and the seat frame rail to transfer loads therebetween, such that the displacement of the lateral bar is resisted by the seat frame rail.