Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Kimberly A Strigle

Robert Charles Steinbrecher

Josh David Fraley

Joseph Charles Walusek

Eric M Botten

Prashant K Deore

Peter J Finnie

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for absorbing energy in a hinge are provided. An apparatus may include a first portion, a second portion coupled to the first portion to move relative to the first portion, and a tab configured relative to the first and second portions to absorb energy imparted to the second portion during a collision. The tab may be bendable via rotation as the second portion moves towards the first portion during the collision. The first portion may be a hinge bracket securable to a vehicle body. The second portion may be a hinge arm securable to a vehicle hood. The tab may be positioned at least partially between the first portion and the second portion for selective interference of the tab with one of the first portion and the second portion.

Collision energy absorbing apparatus, systems, and methods

Disclosed herein is a door, lock and a protector block. The door includes an inner panel, a lock including a cable mounting plate and an inner surface, the inner surface faces the inner panel and connects to the inner panel such that an inner space is created between the cable mounting plate and the inner panel, and a protector block connected to the inner surface of the rear lock within the inner space present between the cable mounting plate and the inner panel.

Protection block for vehicle door lock

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Findlay, OH, United States of America

Kimberly A Strigle