Arkansas Patent of the Month – December 2023
Tesseract Structural Innovations, Inc. is bringing a new era of safety to the automotive industry, with a unique lightweight technology, known as Uniform Deceleration Unit (UDU).
The recently patented aluminum composite foam technology was designed to meet the need for improved passive structural safety in vehicles, while at the same time creating a new playbook for lightweighting in many structural areas of the vehicle, such as electric vehicle (EV) battery packs.
Using the material in crash pads provides a method for converting kinetic energy into strain energy, offering a multifaceted approach to safety. The design strategically structures a cellular layer between two skin layers. This innovative design isn’t just about durability; it’s a strategic move to absorb and dissipate energy during a crash by inducing both elastic and plastic deformation in the crash pads and the connection beam.
Tesseract’s safety system isn’t limited to a one-size-fits-all approach. The forward crash pad, rear crash pad, and the connecting beam collectively create a protective network that efficiently absorbs crash energy upon deflection. Versatility is key, as the assembly finds its place in crucial areas like wheel wells and side doors, ensuring a comprehensive safety net for occupants.
The system’s inverted “U” shape underscores its adaptability, demonstrating a thoughtful integration into various automobile architectures. What’s truly innovative is the utilization of metallic foam with a mass per unit volume less than 1,000 kg/m3 in constructing the crash pads, ensuring a lightweight yet formidable defense against impact forces.
But Tesseract’s ingenuity doesn’t stop there. Hollow, thin-walled tubular sections, intricately arranged in a matrix of ribs and webs, elevate the crash pad’s structural integrity. In a crash, these elements work in harmony, initially deforming elastically and then transitioning into plastic deformation, offering a controlled and effective energy absorption mechanism.
This inventive safety system is not just a concept on paper; it’s a testament to Tesseract Structural Innovations’ commitment to advancing automotive safety. As vehicles continue to be an integral part of our lives, innovations like these pave the way for a safer and more secure future on the roads.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
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The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.
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