摘要 |
The method for making an energy absorbing panel comprises the steps of coating a stretchable lightweight fabric with resin, molding the resin coated fabric into a generally planar sheet having a plurality of spaced apart conical projections rising from the planar sheet, cutting the fabric to provide molded panels in a size and shape of the desired energy absorbing panel structure, cutting adhesive coated planar sheet material in a size and shape of the desired energy absorbing panel structure to provide interface panels, interleaving the molded panels and the adhesive coated interface panels to the desired thickness of the energy absorbing panel structure, and then curing the adhesive to attach the panels and thereby form the energy absorbing structure. Upon the imposition of a force against the energy absorbing structures, the resin rigidified projections collapse to absorb energy. The energy absorbing structure is mounted on a vehicle door above the arm rest and below the window opening between the door trim panel and the door inner panel to absorb energy in the event that the occupant contacts the door inner panel. |