SUPPORT ELEMENT COMPRISING A DEFORMATION ELEMENT WITH RADIAL DEFORMATION LIMITERS

摘要

The invention relates to a support structure (4) comprising a deformation element for use in a motor vehicle for absorbing kinetic energy in case of an impact, which can be deformed to a residual block length. The deformation element is connected to the support structure (4) and comprises a honeycomb matrix body (1). According to the invention the matrix body (1) of the deformation element is self-supporting and has at least one radial deformation limiter (2) whose axial stiffness is lower than that of the matrix body (1). This permits the creation of a deformation element without supporting jacket, so that the properties of the deformation element can be determined during design independently of those of a jacket.