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.

Systems, apparatus, and methods implemented in algorithms, software, firmware, logic, or circuitry may be configured to process data and sensory input in real-time to determine whether an object external to an autonomous vehicle may be a potential collision threat to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may be configured to deploy one or more bladders positioned external to the autonomous vehicle to absorb forces from an impact to the vehicle by the object. A perception system of the vehicle may receive a sensor signal and generate object data associated with the object. A planner system of the vehicle may process the object data to predict an impact time and an impact location on the vehicle. The planner system may cause a drive system of the vehicle to maneuver the vehicle to position an impact-absorbing structure and/or one or more bladders of the vehicle to coincide with the predicted impact location.

An apparatus includes a center component defining a center chamber therein and first and second side components defining first and second chambers therein, respectively. The first and second side components are coupled to opposing ends of the center component with the first and second chambers in fluid communication with the center chamber. The center, first side and second side components are configured to extend substantially across a width of a vehicle. The apparatus further includes first, second and third pressure sensors in communication with the first, second and center chambers, respectively.

An apparatus includes a center component defining a center chamber therein and first and second side components defining first and second chambers therein, respectively. The first and second side components are coupled to opposing ends of the center component with the first and second chambers in fluid communication with the center chamber. The center, first side and second side components are configured to extend substantially across a width of a vehicle. The apparatus further includes first, second and third pressure sensors in communication with the first, second and center chambers, respectively.

A method and system of absorbing the shock force of an impact including a substance which absorbs at least part of the shock force of an impact by changing phase from a first phase to a second phase, and back to the first phase on cessation of the impact force, and a container for the substance for protecting a person from an impact injury.

A method and system of absorbing the shock force of an impact including a substance which absorbs at least part of the shock force of an impact by changing phase from a first phase to a second phase, and back to the first phase on cessation of the impact force, and a container for the substance for protecting a person from an impact injury.

A shock absorption device includes an inner cylinder assembly threadably engaged within an outer cylinder assembly. The outer cylinder assembly includes a cap shaped member, at least one protruding member, and at least one first spring member. The inner cylinder assembly includes at least one compressive member, at least one second spring member, and at least one movable piston member. When an external impact force is applied to the cap shaped body member, the first threaded portion of the outer cylinder assembly jumps over the second threaded portion of the inner cylinder assembly as provided by elastic movement of the resilient ring member about the cap shaped body member. The thread jumping results in the first spring member compressing and the protruding member pushing the piston member which pushes and compresses the second spring member and the compressive member providing a reactive force to absorb the external impact force.

A shock absorption device includes an inner cylinder assembly threadably engaged within an outer cylinder assembly. The outer cylinder assembly includes a cap shaped member, at least one protruding member, and at least one first spring member. The inner cylinder assembly includes at least one compressive member, at least one second spring member, and at least one movable piston member. When an external impact force is applied to the cap shaped body member, the first threaded portion of the outer cylinder assembly jumps over the second threaded portion of the inner cylinder assembly as provided by elastic movement of the resilient ring member about the cap shaped body member. The thread jumping results in the first spring member compressing and the protruding member pushing the piston member which pushes and compresses the second spring member and the compressive member providing a reactive force to absorb the external impact force.

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.

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.