UNDERRUN ENERGY-ABSORBING STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE

摘要

An underrun energy-absorbing structure ( 14 ) ("structure") for a vehicle ( 10 ) includes a rail member ( 16 ), a deformable crush tube ( 18 ), and a plate ( 20 ). Rail member ( 16 ) is formed from an inboard panel ( 22 ) and an outboard panel ( 24 ). Crush tube ( 18 ) is sandwiched between inboard panel ( 22 ) and outboard panel ( 24 ) and extends perpendicularly from rail member ( 16 ). Plate ( 20 ) is adjacent to crush tube ( 18 ) and extends perpendicularly from rail member ( 16 ). Plate ( 20 ) is supported by crush tube ( 18 ) during a vehicle collision.