Impact absorbing chassis for car - has asymmetric strength bars to deflect non-central impacts

摘要

The impact absorbing chassis has one side weaker than the other so that the impact forces are deflected away from the passenger compartment. Additional diagonal struts (13, 14) add to the off-centre effect and a sloping deflection strut (12) behind the bumper (1) guides the deflected force. The system copes with offcentre impacts as well as frontal ones. The weaker side has collapsing sections (19) included in the chassis frame, as have the diagonal struts. The bumper is linked to the chassis by conventional elastic supports. The additional impact protection does not add greatly to the weight of the vehicle nor to the cost.