Impact Absorbing Structure

Impact Absorbing Structure

1. General

The impact absorbing structure of the xB provides a body construction that can effectively absorb the energy of impact in the event of a front, rear, or side collision. Also, it realizes an excellent occupant protection performance through the use of reinforcements and members that help to minimize cabin deformation.

2. Construction

Impact Absorbing Structure for Front/Rear Collision

^ In conjunction with the excellent impact absorbing structure for a front or rear collision, the front bumper reinforcement, the underbody members, the reinforcements and members that surround the cabin have been optimally allocated.





^ Accordingly, the underbody and cabin framework help to absorb and dissipate the impact energy efficiently in case of a front or rear collision, thus realizing the minimized cabin deformation. Also, rows of crash beads are establish on the front side of the front side members to help absorbing the impact at collision and thus results in providing the structure to hold the body deformation within ahead of the engine mount as much as possible.

Impact Absorbing Structure for Side Collision

^ A pipe type side impact protection beams are mounted at the bottom of the front of the front and rear doors. Also, in order to make the door energy absorbent, the inner and outer reinforcements are applied to the belt line area of the front and rear doors.





^ Impact energy of a side collision directed to the cabin area is dispersed throughout the body via pillar reinforcements, severe impact protection beams, floor cross members, etc. This dispersion of energy keeps the energy directed to the cabin to minimum level. In addition, the body is made highly rigid through reinforced joints and the use of high strength sheet steel in order to maintain the maximum preservation of the cabin space. And, in order to make the door energy absorbent, a closed cross section configuration is provided at the belt line area of the front and rear doors.

Head Impact Protection Structures





A head impact protection structure has been adopted. With this type of structure, if the occupant's head hits against the roof side rail and pillar in reaction to a collision, the energy absorbing rib of the roof side rail and pillar collapses to help reduce impact.