WO2005051745B1 - Towing apparatus with energy absorber - Google Patents
Towing apparatus with energy absorberInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005051745B1 WO2005051745B1 PCT/US2004/039010 US2004039010W WO2005051745B1 WO 2005051745 B1 WO2005051745 B1 WO 2005051745B1 US 2004039010 W US2004039010 W US 2004039010W WO 2005051745 B1 WO2005051745 B1 WO 2005051745B1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- force
- receiver
- towing apparatus
- vehicle frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Abstract
A towing apparatus mounted to a frame of a vehicle includes a receiver and an energy management device. The receiver is operably connected to the energy management device and the energy management device is operably connected to the vehicle frame. When the receiver is moved in a first tow direction, the energy management device is isolated and the tow force is coupled directly to the frame. However, when the energy management device is moved in a second, generally opposite direction, the energy management device reduces some or all of the force applied to the receiver from being transferred to the vehicle frame.
Claims
1. A towing apparatus adapted for mounting to a frame of an automotive vehicle, comprising: a receiver adapted to receive a towing force; and an energy management device operably connected to said receiver and adapted for connection to a vehicle frame so that when the receiver is subjected to a first force in a first tow direction, the first tow force is directly transferred to the vehicle frame, and so that, when the receiver is subjected to a second force of predetermined magnitude in a second direction, said energy management device yields and reduces the second force to a reduced third force, which is in turn transferred to the vehicle frame; wherein said energy management device includes a compressible crush tower.
2. A towing apparatus adapted for mounting to a frame of a vehicle, comprising: a receiver; an energy damping device having a first end operably connected to said receiver and adapted for connection to a vehicle frame so that when the receiver is subjected to a first force of predetermined magnitude in a first direction, said energy damping device does not reduce the magnitude of the first force which is transmitted to the vehicle frame, and when the receiver is subjected to a second force in a second direction, said energy damping device reducing the second force transmitted to the vehicle frame; wherein said energy damping device includes a compressible crush tower.
3. An apparatus comprising: a towing hook; a vehicle mount; and a crushable, collapsible energy management tube connecting the towing hook and the vehicle mount and that is constructed of a material adapted to consistently and predictably absorb energy via a telescoping collapse upon receiving an impact.
4. A towing apparatus adapted for mounting to a frame of an automotive vehicle, comprising: a receiver adapted to receive a towing force; and an energy management device operably connected to said receiver and adapted for connection to a vehicle frame so that when the receiver is subjected to a first force in a first to\y direction, the first tow force is directly transferred to the vehicle frame, and so that, when the receiver is subjected to a second force of predetermined magnitude in a second direction, said energy management device yields and reduces the second force to a reduced third force, which is in turn transferred to the vehicle frame; wherein the energy management device includes a piston in a solid cylinder configured to compress liquid within the cylinder to reduce the second force; and wherein the liquid does not move through the piston.
5. A towing apparatus adapted for mounting to a frame of a vehicle, comprising: a receiver; an energy damping device having a first end operably connected to said receiver and adapted for connection to a vehicle frame so that when the receiver is subjected to a first force of predetermined magnitude in a first direction, said energy damping device does not reduce the magnitude of the first force which is transmitted to the vehicle frame, and when the receiver is subjected to a second force in a second direction, said energy damping device reducing the second force transmitted to the vehicle frame; wherein the energy damping device includes a piston in a solid cylinder configured to compress liquid within the cylinder to reduce the second force; and wherein the liquid does not move through the piston.
6. The towing apparatus of claim 5, wherein said liquid is a viscous fluid.
7. A towing apparatus adapted for mounting to a frame of an automotive vehicle, comprising: a receiver adapted to receive a towing force; and an energy management device operably connected to said receiver and adapted for connection to a vehicle frame so that said energy management device transmits a first force in a first direction directly to the vehicle frame and transmit a second force in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the vehicle frame; wherein the second force is not reduced as transmitted to the vehicle frame when the second force is below a first predetermined level; wherein the second force is dampened between the first predetermined level and a second predetermined level; and wherein the second force is no longer dampened above the second predetermined level.
8. The towing apparatus of claims 1 or 7, wherein said energy management device includes a piston moving within a cylinder.
9. A towing apparatus adapted for mounting to a frame of a vehicle, comprising: a receiver; an energy damping device having a first end operably connected to said receiver and adapted for connection to a vehicle frame so that said energy damping device - transmits a first force in a first direction directly to the vehicle frame and transmit a second force in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the vehicle frame; wherein the second force is not reduced as transmitted to the vehicle frame when the second force is below a first predetermined level; wherein the second force is dampened between the first predetermined level and a second predetermined level; and wherein the second force is no longer dampened above the second predetermined level.
10. The towing apparatus of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7, wherein said receiver is a hook.
11. The towing apparatus of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7, wherein said receiver is a loop.
12. The towing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said energy management device further includes a spring.
13. The towing apparatus of claims 1, 4 or 7, wherein said energy management device includes a spring.
21
14. The towing apparatus of claim 11, wherein said energy management device further includes a spring.
15. The towing apparatus of claims 4 or 7, wherein said energy management device includes a compressible crush tower.
16. The towing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said energy management device further includes a compressible crush tower.
17. The towing apparatus of claims 2 or 9, wherein said energy damping device includes a piston moving within a cylinder.
18. The towing apparatus of claim 17, wherein said cylinder is filled with a viscous fluid.
19. The towing apparatus of claims 2, 5 or 9, wherein said energy damping device includes a spring.
20. The towing apparatus of claims 2, 5 or 9, wherein when the receiver is subjected to the first force of predetermined magnitude in the first direction, said energy damping device does not reduce the first force transmitted to the vehicle frame.
21. The towing apparatus of claims 5 or 9, wherein said energy damping device includes a compressible crush tower.
22. The towing apparatus of claim 19, wherein said energy damping device further includes a compressible crush tower.
23. The towing apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein said compressible crush tower includes a first tube concentrically aligned with a second tube; wherein a first end of the first tube is connected to a first end of the second tube through an intermediate tube; wherein further a first and a second end portion of said intermediate tube are dissimilar in shape and said first end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first
22 end of said first tube and the second end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said second tube.
24. The towing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said compressible crush tower includes a first tube concentrically aligned with a second tube; wherein a first end of the first tube is connected to a first end of the second tube through an intermediate tube; wherein further a first and a second end portion of said intermediate tube are dissimilar in shape and said first end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said first tube and the second end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said second tube.
25. The towing apparatus of claim 19, wherein said compressible crush tower includes a first tube concentrically aligned with a second tube; wherein a first end of the first tube is connected to a first end of the second tube through an intermediate tube; wherein further a first and a second end portion of said intermediate tube are dissimilar in shape and said first end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said first tube and the second end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said second tube.
26. The towing apparatus of claim 15, wherein said compressible crush tower includes a first tube concentrically aligned with a second tube; wherein a first end of the first tube is connected to a first end of the second tube through an intermediate tube; wherein further a first and a second end portion of said intermediate tube are dissimilar in shape and said first end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said first tube and the second end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said second tube.
27. The towing apparatus of claim 16, wherein said compressible crush tower includes a first tube concentrically aligned with a second tube;
23 wherein, a first end of the first tube is connected to a first end of the second tube through an intermediate tube; wherein further a first and a second end portion of said intermediate tube are dissimilar in shape and said first end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said first tube and the second end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said second tube.
28. The towing apparatus of claim 21, wherein said compressible crush tower includes a first tube concentrically aligned with a second tube; wherein a first end of the first tube is connected to a first end of the second tube through an intermediate tube; wherein further a first and a second end portion of said intermediate tube are dissimilar in shape and said first end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said first tube and the second end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said second tube.
29. The towing apparatus of claim 22, wherein said compressible crush tower includes a first tube concentrically aligned with a second tube; wherein a first end of the first tube is connected to a first end of the second tube through an intermediate tube; wherein further a first and a second end portion of said intermediate tube are dissimilar in shape and said first end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said first tube and the second end of said intermediate tube is connected to the first end of said second tube.
24
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2006541562A JP2007512183A (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-11-19 | Towing device with energy absorber |
| EP04811691A EP1687158A2 (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-11-19 | Towing apparatus with energy absorber |
| AU2004293426A AU2004293426A1 (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-11-19 | Towing apparatus with energy absorber |
| CA002544992A CA2544992A1 (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-11-19 | Towing apparatus with energy absorber |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US52424703P | 2003-11-21 | 2003-11-21 | |
| US60/524,247 | 2003-11-21 | ||
| US10/940,134 | 2004-09-14 | ||
| US10/940,134 US7290783B2 (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-09-14 | Towing apparatus with energy absorber |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2005051745A2 WO2005051745A2 (en) | 2005-06-09 |
| WO2005051745A3 WO2005051745A3 (en) | 2005-12-01 |
| WO2005051745B1 true WO2005051745B1 (en) | 2006-01-19 |
Family
ID=34595105
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2004/039010 Ceased WO2005051745A2 (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-11-19 | Towing apparatus with energy absorber |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US7290783B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1687158A2 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2007512183A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2004293426A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2544992A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2005051745A2 (en) |
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| EP1497570B1 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2015-05-20 | Magna International Inc | Collision energy-absorbing device |
| US7472919B2 (en) * | 2005-07-28 | 2009-01-06 | Daimler Trucks North America Llc | Detachable tow hook assembly and vehicle with one or more detachable tow hooks |
| US7641214B2 (en) * | 2006-05-11 | 2010-01-05 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Energy-absorbing trailer hitch receiver |
| FR2901228B1 (en) * | 2006-05-22 | 2008-07-25 | Renault Sas | AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE STRUCTURE HAVING A COUPLING SUPPORT |
| US7527327B2 (en) * | 2007-09-18 | 2009-05-05 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Rear vehicle subassembly having a towing hitch member |
| US7845669B2 (en) * | 2008-02-05 | 2010-12-07 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Safety restraint for vehicle towing assemblies |
| US7866716B2 (en) | 2008-04-08 | 2011-01-11 | Flex-N-Gate Corporation | Energy absorber for vehicle |
| GB0904343D0 (en) * | 2009-03-13 | 2009-04-29 | Linde Ag | Vehicle structures |
| DE102010050197B4 (en) * | 2009-11-04 | 2013-04-18 | INFATEC Consulting für innovative Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH | safety clutch |
| US8448973B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2013-05-28 | Danny Burns | Trailer hitch apparatus for use with gooseneck trailers |
| US8371602B1 (en) * | 2012-07-15 | 2013-02-12 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Collapsible vehicle tow loop |
| JP2015105024A (en) * | 2013-11-29 | 2015-06-08 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Vehicle body skeleton member |
| FR3021921B1 (en) * | 2014-06-09 | 2017-08-18 | Plastic Omnium Cie | METALLIC INSERT FOR MEANS OF VEHICLE TOWING |
| US10065587B2 (en) | 2015-11-23 | 2018-09-04 | Flex|N|Gate Corporation | Multi-layer energy absorber |
| CN105774432A (en) * | 2016-05-02 | 2016-07-20 | 季建国 | Connection rod of agricultural tractor-drawn trailer |
| US10029524B2 (en) * | 2016-08-04 | 2018-07-24 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Tow hook mounting structure for use with vehicle having curved frame |
| EP3379222B1 (en) | 2017-03-22 | 2020-12-30 | Methode Electronics Malta Ltd. | Magnetoelastic based sensor assembly |
| US10464382B2 (en) * | 2017-09-18 | 2019-11-05 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Dynamic tow hook |
| US10457104B2 (en) * | 2018-01-16 | 2019-10-29 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Tow loop positioning systems and method |
| US11014417B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2021-05-25 | Methode Electronics, Inc. | Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing |
| US11135882B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2021-10-05 | Methode Electronics, Inc. | Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing |
| EP3758959B1 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2025-11-05 | Methode Electronics, Inc. | Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing |
| US11084342B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2021-08-10 | Methode Electronics, Inc. | Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing |
| US11221262B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2022-01-11 | Methode Electronics, Inc. | Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing |
| US11491832B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2022-11-08 | Methode Electronics, Inc. | Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing |
| US10787052B2 (en) * | 2018-07-18 | 2020-09-29 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle tow hook |
| US11104190B2 (en) | 2019-02-08 | 2021-08-31 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Safety chain system |
| DE102019205021B4 (en) * | 2019-04-08 | 2022-07-14 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Towing device for a motor vehicle |
| EP3868580B1 (en) * | 2020-02-21 | 2023-08-09 | FCA Italy S.p.A. | A tow bar assembly for a vehicle and vehicle fitted with such an assembly |
| US11807056B2 (en) * | 2021-04-16 | 2023-11-07 | Rivian Ip Holdings, Llc | Break-away tow hook |
| US12479247B2 (en) * | 2022-10-12 | 2025-11-25 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Tow hook assemblies and vehicles including same |
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-
2004
- 2004-09-14 US US10/940,134 patent/US7290783B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-11-19 WO PCT/US2004/039010 patent/WO2005051745A2/en not_active Ceased
- 2004-11-19 JP JP2006541562A patent/JP2007512183A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-11-19 AU AU2004293426A patent/AU2004293426A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-11-19 EP EP04811691A patent/EP1687158A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-11-19 CA CA002544992A patent/CA2544992A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2007
- 2007-10-04 US US11/867,437 patent/US20080023938A1/en not_active Abandoned
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