An impact absorbing structure for a motor vehicle

摘要

An energy absorbing structure for use on the front or rear of a motor vehicle comprising a bumper unit 12 attachable to a structural part 10 of the motor vehicle by means of two or more bracket assemblies and at least one axially compressible crush can 11 is interposed between the bumper unit 12 and the structural part 10 of the motor vehicle. Each of the bracket assemblies has two arms 13A, 13B which are arranged to collapse upon the application of a low impact load to the bumper unit 12 whereas a considerably higher load is required to cause the crush cans 11 to be collapsed. A two stage progressive collapse of the energy absorbing structure is therefore achieved.