Claims:I/We Claim:
1. An automobile protection bumper system (100), the bumper system (100) comprising:
a safety guard (102) attached to a front end of an automobile, and adapted to come in contact with obstacles;
hollow cylinders (116a-116b) supported by supporting bars (124a-124b), wherein each of the hollow cylinders (116a-116b) are having slots to accept a movable rod (110);
helical springs (118a-118b) inserted inside the corresponding hollow cylinders (116a-116b), wherein the helical springs (118a-118b) are expanded to enable a movement of a shaft (104) in a forward direction to resist a load applied on the safety guard (102); and
flanges (108a-108d) fixed at a center of the corresponding supporting bars (124a-124b), to accept the shaft (104) such that a first end of the shaft (104) is attached to the safety guard (102) and a second end is threaded and fitted with a nut (106).
2. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the helical springs (118a-118b) are made of high carbon steel, and having an impact load of 15 Kilogram-force.
3. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the hollow cylinders (116a-116b) are having a stroke length of 45 centimeters (cm).
4. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the hollow cylinders (116a-116b) are having a bore diameter of 10 centimeters (cm).
5. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the hollow cylinders (116a-116b) are enclosed within metal pads (120a-120d).
6. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shape of the safety guard (102) is one of, a rectangular shape or a circular shape.
7. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft (104) is passed through a mid-section of the movable rod (110).
8. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a taper pin (112) locked in a locking hole (114) provided on the shaft (104) such that the taper pin (112) breaks when the load is applied on the safety guard (102).
9. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the taper pin (112) is made up of aluminum.
10. The bumper system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable rod (110) enables a transfer of kinetic energy of each of the helical springs (118a-118b) to the shaft (104) when the load is applied.
Date: 04 April, 2022
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant
, Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a protection bumper system and particularly to an automobile protection bumper system.
Description of Related Art
[002] Driving is one of necessities of humans in a modern world and for doing so, a specific set of rules and regulations have to be followed by everyone while driving. The set of rules includes a speed limit, following of traffic lights, traffic symbols, and many more. Amongst all, safety is one of, a most essential factor that one should look at while driving a vehicle. When it comes to driving the vehicle, one could either be a good driver or someone who can’t drive. There is no in-between status for the driver. Nowadays it’s becoming more and more common for road accidents to take up a headline space in a daily newspaper. The accidents take place either by negligence of the driver, or debarment of traffic rules, leading to over-speeding, overtaking from wrong side, turning without activating appropriate turn indicators, and so forth. Many people lose their lives in road accidents. One should pay full attention while driving an automobile and completely avoid any distractions. It is also an automobile owner’s responsibility to keep their automobile in a best condition to avoid any accident while driving on road. While driving the automobile, the responsibility of one’s life and the life of others rests with the driver of the vehicle.
[003] According to global status report on road safety, out of 1.35 million total reported accidents, approximately 11% of it was accounted from India. As per another study on the road accidents, accident-related deaths in India in year 2019 were approximately 1,51,113 in number.
[004] Moreover, to set protection on another level, many of the new automobile releases with pre-installed Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) bumpers and berries, that are installed in front and back of the vehicle. They protect automobile and passengers from sudden shock received from collision. These bumpers also protect physical damage to the automobile upto a certain extension.
[005] However, prior vehicles lack provision as such, so owners either neglect this factor or they choose an after-market non-OEM bumper. These after-market non-OEM bumper are not so efficient as they cannot even protect vehicles from low-speed crash. Moreover, at high-speed car crash where high momentum is absorbed in these bumpers in very less time, they prove ineffective in deflecting and distributing force in direction opposite to the vehicles.
[006] There is thus a need for an advanced and improved automobile protection bumper system that can administer the aforementioned issues in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an automobile protection bumper system. The system includes a safety guard attached to a front end of an automobile, and adapted to come in contact with obstacles. The system further includes hollow cylinders supported by supporting bars, wherein each of the hollow cylinders are having slots to accept a movable rod. The system further includes helical springs inserted inside the corresponding hollow cylinders, wherein the helical springs are expanded to enable a movement of a shaft in a forward direction to resist a load applied on the safety guard. The system further includes flanges fixed at a center of the corresponding supporting bars, to accept the shaft such that a first end of the shaft is attached to the safety guard and a second end is threaded and fitted with a nut.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an automobile protection bumper system.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automobile protection bumper system that provides more safety to occupants of a vehicle.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automobile protection bumper system that provides safety to an automobile body.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automobile protection bumper system that reduces impact of collision received on an automobile body.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automobile protection bumper system that is portable in size and easy to handle.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automobile protection bumper system that incurs less maintenance cost.
[0014] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automobile protection bumper system that is installable in all kinds of automobiles with various form factors.
[0015] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0016] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram depicting an automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 1B illustrates a line diagram of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1C illustrates the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 1D illustrates a safety guard of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 1E illustrates a shaft of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 1F illustrates flanges of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 1G illustrates a taper pin of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 1H illustrates a hollow cylinder of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 1I illustrates a helical spring of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 1J illustrates metal pads of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 1K illustrates a sliding bar of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 1L illustrates a supporting bar of the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method of protecting an automobile using the automobile protection bumper system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0033] "In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like."
[0034] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0035] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram depicting an automobile protection bumper system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be installed at a frontal location of a vehicle. The system 100 may provide a resistive-protection to the vehicle in case of a collision, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may absorb a shock that may be received by the vehicle. The system 100 may further terminate a transmission of force to occupants of the vehicle, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle may be of any category such as, but not limited to, a three-wheeled road vehicle, a four-wheeled road vehicle, a bus, a truck, a locomotive, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any category of the vehicle, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the occupants of the vehicle may be, but not limited to, a driver, a passenger, an unattended passenger, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any occupants.
[0036] FIG. 1B illustrates a line diagram of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a safety guard 102, a shaft 104, a nut 106, flanges 108a-108d (hereinafter referred to as the flanges 108), a movable rod 110, a taper pin 112, a locking hole 114, hollow cylinders 116a-116b (hereinafter referred to as the hollow cylinders 116), helical springs 118a-118b (hereinafter referred to as the helical springs 118), metal pads 120a-120d (hereinafter referred to as the metal pads 120), a sliding bar 122, and supporting bars 124a-124b (hereinafter referred to as the supporting bars 124).
[0037] FIG. 1C illustrates the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the safety guard 102 may be attached to a front end of the vehicle. The safety guard 102 may be adapted to come in contact with obstacles, in an embodiment of the present invention. The safety guard 102 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1D, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shaft 104 may be passed through a mid-section of the moveable rod 110. The shaft 104 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1E, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the nut 106 may be fitted on the shaft 104. The nut 106 may be arranged on a threaded surface, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the nut 106 may prevent the shaft 104 from slipping out from the flanges 108. According to embodiments of the present invention, the nut 106 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, a high carbon steel material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the nut 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flanges 108 may be fixed at a center of the corresponding supporting bar 124 to accept the shaft 104. A first end of the flanges 108 may be attached to the safety guard 102, and a second end of the flanges 108 is threaded and fitted with the nut 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. The flanges 108 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1F. In an embodiment of the present invention, the moveable rod 110 may enable a transfer of kinetic energy of each of the helical springs 118 to the shaft 104 when the load is applied. According to embodiments of the present invention, the movable rod 110 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, a high carbon steel material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the movable rod 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the taper pin 112 may be locked in the locking hole 114 provided in the shaft 104 such that the taper pin 112 may break when the load is applied on the safety guard 102. The taper pin 112 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1G. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hollow cylinders 116 may have slots to accept the movable rod 110. The hollow cylinders 116 may further be enclosed within the metal pads 120, in an embodiment of the present invention. The hollow cylinders 116 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1H. In an embodiment of the present invention, the helical springs 118 may be inserted inside the corresponding hollow cylinders 116. The helical springs 118 may be expanded to enable a movement of the shaft 104 in a forward direction to resist the load applied on the safety guard 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The helical springs 118 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1I.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the metal pads 120 may be arranged at ends of the hollow cylinders 116. The metal pads 120 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1J. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding bar 122 may be attached to the helical springs 118. The sliding bar 122 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1K. In an embodiment of the present invention, the supporting bar 124 may support the hollow cylinders 116. The supporting bar 124 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1L, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 1D illustrates the safety guard 102 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the safety guard 102 may act as a resisting guard for the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, a shape of the safety guard 102 may be, but not limited to, a triangular shape, a hexagonal shape, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the safety guard 102 may be of a rectangular shape or a circular shape. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the safety guard 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the safety guard 102 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, a high carbon steel material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the safety guard 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] FIG. 1E illustrates the shaft 104 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the shaft 104 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft 104 may be constructed of a high steel polished rod material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the shaft 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0044] FIG. 1F illustrates the flanges 108 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the flanges 108 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flanges 108 may be constructed of a cast iron material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the flanges 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] FIG. 1G illustrates the taper pin 112 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the taper pin 112 may be placed into the locking hole 114 of the shaft 104. The taper pin 112 may maintain a potential energy stored in the helical springs 118 by applying stopping force, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the taper pin 112 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, a high carbon steel material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the taper pin 112 may be constructed of an aluminum material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the taper pin 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0046] FIG. 1H illustrates the hollow cylinders 116 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a stroke length of the hollow cylinders 116 may be 45 centimeters (cm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bore diameter of the hollow cylinders 116 may be 10 centimeters (cm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dimension of the slots of the hollow cylinders 116 may be 2 centimeters (cm) by 19 centimeters (cm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an area enclosed in the hollow cylinders 116 by the metal pads 120 may be 78.53 cm2 (centimeter-square). According to embodiments of the present invention, the hollow cylinders 116 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hollow cylinders 116 may be constructed of a mild steel material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the hollow cylinders 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0047] FIG. 1I illustrates the helical springs 118 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the helical springs 118 may undergo compression and store potential energy when load acts upon it. The helical springs 118 may further expand and convert the stored potential energy into kinetic energy, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a free length (Lf) of the helical springs 118 may be 25 centimeters (cm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a number of coils (n’) in the helical springs 118 may be 12. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of active coils (n’-2) in the helical springs 118 may be 10. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a diameter (D) of the coil of the helical springs 118 may be 8 centimeters (cm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter (d) of a coil wire of the helical springs 118 may be 0.4 centimeters (cm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a spring index (C) of the helical springs 118 may be 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pitch (P) of the helical springs 118 may be 2.5 centimeters (cm). The pitch (P) of the helical springs 118 may be calculated by an equation (1):
Pitch (P) = Free length (Lf) / (n’-2) --- (1)
[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an impact load of the helical springs 118 may be 15 Kilogram-force (KgF). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the load applied by the helical springs 118 may be 45N (Newton). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a deflection (δ) in the helical springs 118 may be 12.5 centimeters (cm). The deflection (δ) in the helical springs 118 may be calculated by an equation (2)
δ = 0.5 * free length (Lf) of the helical spring 118 --- (2)
[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a steer stress (σ) applied by the helical springs 118 may be 153.26 Megapascal (MPa). The steer stress (σ) in the helical springs 118 may be calculated by the equation (3):
σ =K*(8*W*D/Π*d3) --- (3)
where W may be the load applied by the helical springs 118, D may be the diameter (D) of the coil of the helical springs 118, d may be the diameter (d) of the coil wire of the helical springs 118, K may be a Wahl’s factor, the value of the Wahl’s factor (K) may be 1.07.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an initial potential energy stored in the compressed helical springs 118 may be 5.62 Joules (J). The initial potential energy stored in the compressed helical spring 118 may be calculated by the equation (4)
Initial potential energy stored = 0.5 * W * δ * 2 --- (4)
where δ may be the deflection in the helical springs 118.
[0051] According to embodiments of the present invention, the helical spring 118 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the helical spring 118 may be constructed of a high carbon steel (Oil Tampered A229 type) material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the helical spring 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0052] FIG. 1J illustrates the metal pads 120 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the metal pads 120 may enclose the hollow cylinders 116. The metal pads 120 may be applied to the hollow cylinders 116 after insertion of helical springs 118 in them, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the metal pads 120 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metal pads 120 may be constructed of a mild steel material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the metal pads 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0053] FIG. 1K illustrates the sliding bar 122 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding bar 122 may be attached to the helical spring 118. The helical spring 118 may be at an initial minimum position of the slot of the hollow cylinders 116, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding bar 122 may help transfer a kinetic energy of the helical spring 118 to the shaft 104. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sliding bar 122 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sliding bar 122 may be constructed of a mild steel material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the sliding bar 122, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0054] FIG. 1L illustrates the supporting bar 124 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the supporting bar 124 may hold the hollow cylinders 116 on either of the side. According to embodiments of the present invention, the supporting bar 124 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the supporting bar 124, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if the load applied on the safety guard 102 is less than or equal to 15 Newton (N) then the taper pin 112 arranged in the locking hole 114 may break and the helical spring 118 arranged in the hollow cylinders 116 may compress and move in an opposite direction of the load applied. The application of the load may be due to collision received by the system 100. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if the load applied on the safety guard 102 is more than 15 Newton (N) then the taper pin 112 arranged in the locking hole 114 may break and the helical spring 118 arranged in the hollow cylinders 116 may undergo more compression and deflection that may lead to movement of the helical spring 118 in the opposite direction of the load applied.
[0056] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for protecting the automobile using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] At step 202, the system 100 may receive the impact via the load on the safety guard 102.
[0058] At step 204, the system 100 may break the taper pin 112 arranged in the locking hole 114.
[0059] At step 206, the system 100 may enable transmission of the received impact to the helical springs 118.
[0060] At step 208, the system 100 may enable absorption of the impact received into the helical springs 118.
[0061] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0062] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.