SIDE IMPACT STRUCTURE FOR A FUEL TANK OF A VEHICLE

A side impact structure for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a base structure attached to a side-facing portion of the fuel tank, and at least one spheroidal element rotatably coupled to the base structure, wherein impact energy by an object with the at least one spheroidal element in a first direction causes the at least one spheroidal element to rotate to convert the impact energy into rotational energy to direct the impact energy toward a second direction normal to the first direction.