Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Guy Allen Breckenridge

Saeed David Barbat

Rasik N Patel

An automotive vehicle body structure includes a structural member which forms a load-bearing portion of the vehicle and a trim component mounted to the structural member. A plurality of energy absorbing elements are mounted to the trim component and spaced relative to one another along the longitudinal length of the trim component. Each of the energy absorbing elements have a serpentine shape and extend from the trim component toward the structural member such that the distal ends of the energy absorbing elements are spaced from, but adjacent to, the structural member in non-contacting relationship therewith. The energy absorbing elements are deformable in response to a force which causes the distal end of the elements to contact the structural member to absorb and dissipate the energy generated by the force.

Energy absorbing automotive vehicle body structure

An automotive vehicle body structure includes a structural member which forms a load-bearing structure on the vehicle. The structural member presents an edge extending generally toward the interior of the vehicle. A trim component is mounted to the structural member and covers the edge. A high density elastic sleeve is mounted to the edge and spaced from, but adjacent to, the trim component. The edge and the high density elastic sleeve are deformable in response to a force acting thereon to absorb and dissipate the energy generated by the forces.

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Westland, MI, United States of America

Guy Allen Breckenridge