US 11,731,703 B2
Energy dissipation system for vehicle crash impacts
John E. Howard, Fenton, MI (US); Bradley Leier, Troy, MI (US); and Zohir Molhem, Rochester Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/236,914.
Prior Publication US 2022/0340204 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 21/15 (2006.01); B60R 19/18 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 21/152 (2013.01) [B60R 19/18 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An energy dissipation system for a frame of a vehicle, comprising:
a frame rail including a crushable region and a non-crushable region;
an energy dissipation device including:
an energy transfer portion arranged partially in the crushable region and partially in the non-crushable region and configured to move in response to a vehicle impact on the frame rail; and
an energy dissipation portion arranged within the non-crushable region, connected to the energy transfer portion and including:
a first region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the non-crushable region; and
a second region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the energy transfer portion,
wherein the first region of the energy dissipation portion is stiffer than the second region of the energy dissipation portion.