Tesla, Inc.
Advanced thin-walled structures for enhanced crash performance

Abstract:

A crash can for a vehicle includes a multi-cell structure that includes at least four hollow cuboids, each defined by four walls that meet at 90 degree angles and at least two of the cuboids share a wall. In another example, a crash can includes a multi-cell structure that includes a hollow cuboid having four walls, and four hollow isosceles trapezoidal prisms having a long base, a short base, and two legs. The multi-cell structures provided herein may increase energy absorption by the crash can if involved in a collision, reducing energy transfer to a vehicle frame and occupants therein.