A bodywork structure for a passenger vehicle includes a bodywork shell construction with two longitudinal girders and a flexible crossmember device attached to the two longitudinal girders. The flexible crossmember device has a first flexible crossmember and two energy absorption elements where the two energy absorption elements are respectively fixed to the two longitudinal girders and the first flexible crossmember is connected to the two longitudinal girders via the two energy absorption elements. A support framework is disposed between the two longitudinal girders and has a second flexible crossmember that is at least indirectly connected to the two longitudinal girders and is convexly curved in a direction of the first flexible crossmember. The support framework has a load divider disposed between the first flexible crossmember and the second flexible crossmember in the longitudinal direction of the passenger vehicle and extending in the transverse direction of the passenger vehicle.

The invention relates to a shock-absorbing system (10) for a motor vehicle, intended to be interposed between a side member (20) and a transverse impact beam (30), characterised in that it comprises: an absorbing element (40) that is able to irreversibly disintegrate at least partially in reaction to an impact, a connecting element (50) comprising at least one wall (60) having an end intended to be secured to the beam (30) and another end intended to be secured to the side member (20), the wall (60) having a programmed zone of mechanical weakness that allows the wall (60) to fold in the event of an impact.

A reinforcement member has a load-receiving portion and an inclined portion. At least a part of the load-receiving portion is placed in front of a Fr side member. An end, at an inner side in the width direction, of the inclined portion matches in the width direction of the vehicle with a ridgeline at an inner side, in the width direction of the vehicle, of the Fr side member, or is provided at an outer side, in the width direction of the vehicle, in relation to the ridgeline.

An impact absorbing structure for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a frame member formed of a resin material. The frame member includes a closed cross sectional portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, and a rib protruding at least either upward or downward from the closed cross sectional portion and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

A vehicle bumper assembly includes an adaptive energy absorption module operatively connected to a vehicle bumper body. The adaptive energy absorption module includes a primary deformable impact absorber member defining a primary impact chamber having a shape that is structurally adaptive or otherwise conforms to an impact force received by the bumper body. A secondary deformable impact absorber member is arranged in the primary impact chamber and defines a secondary impact chamber containing a shear thickening fluid that exhibits a decreasing viscosity responsive to the impact force. A plurality of fluidically connected tertiary deformable impact absorber members are arranged in an array the primary impact chamber and defines a plurality of tertiary impact chambers containing a volume of fluid, and has a shape that is structurally adaptive to the impact force.

An apparatus includes a bumper beam including an outer face, a plate elongated along the outer face, a plurality of ribs elongated from the plate transverse to a direction of elongation of the plate, and a plurality of cylinders each fixed to one of the ribs and spaced from the plate.

An apparatus includes a bumper beam including an outer face, a plate elongated along the outer face, a plurality of ribs elongated from the plate transverse to a direction of elongation of the plate, and a plurality of cylinders each fixed to one of the ribs and spaced from the plate.

A bumper beam includes an outer portion and an inner portion each extending between a top end and a bottom end. At least one of the outer portion or the inner portion includes a pair of geometrical features each of which are disposed in spaced relationship to one another and adjacent a respective one of the top or bottom ends. A top wall and a bottom wall each extend from one of the geometrical features to the other of the outer portion or the inner portion to interconnect the outer and inner portions of the bumper beam. The geometrical features can be varied in size and shape to change and tune the energy absorption properties of the bumper beam and ultimately provide for a bumper beam that is adaptable and flexible over a range of vehicle applications.

A shock absorbing member includes an outer member being hollow and made of a metal, and an inner member held in the outer member. The inner member includes a wood member and a bracket that is made of a solid resin or a metal and that is integral with the wood member. The inner member includes a holding structure configured to position and hold the bracket to the outer member.