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.

Disclosed herein is an energy absorber having excellent impact resistance and excellent impact energy absorbability. The energy absorber includes an olefin-based resin composition obtained by mixing an olefin resin, a polyamide resin, and an elastomer having a reactive group that reacts with the polyamide resin, wherein the olefin-based resin composition has a continuous phase containing the olefin resin and a polyamide resin-based dispersed phase dispersed in the continuous phase, and the polyamide resin-based dispersed phase has a structure in which the elastomer is contained in a matrix phase containing the polyamide resin.

A vehicle includes: a bumper beam; an electronic sensor that is fixed in relation to the bumper beam; and an energy absorber that is connected to the bumper beam in general alignment with the electronic sensor. The energy absorber is configured and positioned to protect the electronic sensor and reduce dislocation of the electronic sensor by absorbing energy resulting from a low-force impact between the vehicle and an external object (e.g., another vehicle). The energy absorber may be provided in the front and/or rear-ends of the vehicle, and, in certain embodiments, may be connected to an end face of the bumper beam (e.g., to a front face or a rear face of the bumper beam) such that the energy absorber is positioned outwardly (e.g., forwardly or rearwardly) of the electronic sensor along a length of the vehicle.

An energy absorber including a cover defining a cavity and a lattice core. The lattice core includes rod-shaped links having first and second ends connected at spaced nodes to form a three-dimensional structure disposed inside the cavity. The lattice core includes a first portion and a second portion that has a higher density than the first portion. The second portion is arranged behind the first portion relative to an expected direction of an impact with an object that initially contacts the cover in front of the first portion. A third portion may be arranged behind the second portion relative to the expected direction of an impact that has a higher density than the second portion. The first core may be a three-dimensional body having a negative Poisson's Ratio. The lattice core may be formed by an additive printing process.

A component, e.g., a bumper assembly, of a vehicle includes a fascia spaced from a bumper beam, a structure defining gaps between the structure and the bumper beam and between the structure and the fascia, and a computer programmed to supply electrical current to vary a stiffness of the structure in response to a vehicle speed beyond a threshold.

A vehicle bumper assembly (12) that includes a first energy absorbing member (22), a second energy absorbing member (24) and a vehicle facia member (26). The first energy absorbing member (22) is made of non-expanded polypropylene and is configured to directly attach to a vehicle body structure (14). The second energy absorbing member (24) is made of expanded polypropylene and is directly attached to a portion of the first energy absorbing member (22) spaced apart from the vehicle body structure (14). The vehicle facia member (26) is shaped and contoured for a predetermined vehicle body style. Further, the vehicle facia member (26) is configured to attach to the vehicle body structure (14). The vehicle facia member (26) covers and at least partially conceals the first energy absorbing member (22) and the second energy absorbing member (24).

A vehicle body structure includes a pair of side members (4) extending in a fore and aft direction on either side of a vehicle body, each side member having a hollow structure defining a hollow interior (28), and provided with a vertical outboard wall (27), a bumper beam (3) extending laterally along fore and aft ends of the side members, and curved so as to be convex on a side thereof facing away from the vehicle body, and a pair of extension members (5) each connected to a corresponding end part of the bumper beam and partly received in the hollow interior of the corresponding side member, a pair of cushioning members (72, 91, 101, 111, 123, 131) are each interposed between the corresponding extension member and the vertical outboard wall of the corresponding side member, each cushioning member being deformable in a lateral direction of the vehicle body.

A strengthening structure of a vehicle is provided herein and includes a base having cutouts. Relief members are disposed across the base and each include a cross section having twelve or fourteen corners, a distal end, and an open proximal end in communication with a corresponding cutout.

An energy absorption device for a bumper of a motor vehicle has a first deformation element on the front side of the bumper. The first deformation element is a foam shaped part which extends over the width of the bumper and has a density of from 20 to 50 g/l. At least one second deformation element, with a density which is at least 50 g/l higher than the first deformation element, is inserted into the first deformation element.

A component, e.g., a bumper assembly, of a vehicle includes a fascia spaced from a bumper beam, a structure defining gaps between the structure and the bumper beam and between the structure and the fascia, and a computer programmed to supply electrical current to vary a stiffness of the structure in response to a vehicle speed beyond a threshold.