Car collision energy absorption system - has two deformable pivoted arms between passenger compartment and vehicle front or rear

The arms (1, 2) pivoted on vertical axis (3) formed as a friction joint on each outer side chassis member and cross over to link onto guide slots (4) fitted crossways to the longitudinal direction in the region of the radiator or luggage boot. The arms could be so tensioned at the regions where they cross each other that a calculated friction force is maintained. Movement of the pads or bumpers longitudinally is limited by the extent of the slots. The arms are pref. duplicated, so that a pair run parallel on each side of the slotted parts.