Abstract:
An energy absorbing element (10) comprises: stiff members (2), wherein adjacent stiff members are connected by opposing hinges (1); and a central member (3) connecting a first pair of the opposing hinges (1) along a longitudinal direction; wherein the stiff members (2) have a greater tensile strength than the central member (3); and wherein the central member (3) is adapted to elastically extend along the longitudinal direction when an impact (5) normal to the central member (3) is applied to the energy absorbing element (10).
Abstract:
The invention provides an impact energy management system for managing impacts in collisions, explosions, and the like. The system includes: granular elements (12), e.g. spheres; at least one resiliently, deformable inner container (14) within which the granular elements are held in a loosely packed arrangement; and an outer casing (16) housing the inner container (14) and having at least one resiliently impact incident wall (16.1) and biasing formations (20) projecting inwardly therefrom. Peripheral regions of the outer casing and/or inner container may be disconnected from each other so that the system forms an open-sided "sandwich" structure. Multiple inner containers (14) may be present and each container may include capsules (22) holding the granular elements (12). Interface layers, also with biasing formations (20), may be provided between the inner containers (14). Also provided are articles of manufacture which include the system, for example a bumper for a motor vehicle, a traffic light assembly and a tollgate crash barrier.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, an energy absorbing (30) assembly comprises a foam stage (20) having a first surface (203) and a second surface (202), wherein the second surface (202) comprises a recess (201); and a thermoplastic stage (10) comprising a frame (100) and crush lobes (101); wherein the crush lobes (101) extend from the frame (100) of the thermoplastic stage (10) into the recess (201). In another embodiment, a method of making an energy absorbing assembly (30) comprises forming a foam stage (20) having a first surface (203) and a second surface (202), wherein the second surface (202) comprises recesses (201); forming a thermoplastic stage (10) having a frame (100) and crush lobes (101) protruding from the frame (100); and engaging the recesses (201) and the crush lobes (101) to form the energy absorbing assembly (30).
Abstract:
The present invention provides a safety bumper for a vehicle comprised of: a lattice (3) of interlocking elements (1), the lattice formed in an overall substantially V, D or triangular shape narrowing away from a mounting end that mounts to a vehicle as viewed in plan view, whereby when a vehicle with a said safety bumper collides with another vehicle the vehicles are deflected from each other and the bumper lattice crumples to give a progressive deceleration which reduces the risk of injury or death to passengers in the vehicle, wherein the bumper includes an exterior shock absorbing panel arrangement (4) at least partly covering or surrounding the lattice and the exterior shock absorbing panel arrangement has at least one panel and a plurality of outer support elements (8,9) mounted to the panel arrangement at their outer end and extending inwardly towards an outer face of the V, D or triangular shape lattice form but not fixed to the lattice form and able to deflect in the event of an impact.
Abstract:
L'invention concerne un dispositif d'absorption de choc (10) comportant au moins une poutre dite pare-chocs (12) et des platines de fixation (14-1; 14-2) de la poutre pare- chocs (12) au châssis d'un véhicule automobile. La poutre pare-chocs (12) comporte une partie centrale (16) et des extrémités dites de liaison (18-1; 18-2). La partie centrale (16) est déportée par rapport aux extrémités de liaison (18-1; 18-2), et les extrémités de liaison (18-1; 18-2) de la poutre pare-chocs (12) sont assujetties aux platines de fixation (14-1; 14-2) par des moyens de liaisons rapportés. Selon l'invention, le dispositif (10) comporte en outre un absorbeur de chocs dit central (22) et des absorbeurs dits de choc réparabiiité (24-1; 24-2) et lesdits absorbeurs de choc réparabiiité (24-1; 24-2) sont distincts des extrémités de liaison (18-1; 18-2) de la poutre pare-chocs (12). L'invention concerne aussi une face avant équipée d'un tel dispositif d'absorption de chocs. Application notamment au domaine automobile.
Abstract:
A bumper beam (12) for a vehicle (5) includes an outer skin (16) formed of a polymeric material and a core (18) provided within the outer skin (16). At least a portion of the core (18) comprises an expanded material. The bumper beam (12) is configured for coupling to a vehicle and the outer skin (16) and core (18) are configured to resist deformation in a vehicle collision.
Abstract:
A bumper beam (12) for a vehicle (5) includes an outer skin (16) formed of a polymeric material and a core (18) provided within the outer skin (16). At least a portion of the core (18) comprises an expanded material. The bumper beam (12) is configured for coupling to a vehicle and the outer skin (16) and core (18) are configured to resist deformation in a vehicle collision.
Abstract:
A modular energy absorber (10) that is tunable. It comprises one or more energy absorbing modules (12). The energy absorbing modules have means for coordinating energy absorbing units 16 of the one or more modules. The means (14) for coordinating position and support the units in relation to each other before, during and after relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber. A crushable member (16) is provided that has an upper perimeter (22), a lower perimeter (24) and an intermediate wall (26) extending therebetween. It also includes a number (m) of breaches defined therein before impact. A method for configuring the modular energy absorber is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A tube comprising an outer tube section with a stepped outer surface and an inner tube section, with the inner tube section being located within the outer tube section. The tube also comprises a spanning section connecting an end of the outer tube section to an end of the inner tube section. The outer tube section is longer than the inner tube section, whereby, upon undergoing a longitudinal impact, the outer tube section crushing predictably and sooner than the inner tube section upon the energy management tube receiving forces from the longitudinal impact, to thereby create a first energy absorption level during crushing of the outer tube section alone and a second energy absorption level during crushing of the outer tube section and the inner tube section. The inner tube section tapers from a larger area at a second inner end to a smaller area at the first inner end.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf einen Körper mit geringem Raumgewicht, welcher bei erhöhter Druckbeanspruchung volumsverkleinernd unter Energieaufnahme verformbar ist. Um mit hoher Präzision die geforderten Gewichtsmaßnahmen und Verformungseigenschaften des Körpers einzustellen und eine dämpfende Wirkung bei Explosionen und Schallbeaufschlagung durch diesen zu erreichen, ist erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen, dass der Körper aus mindestens zwei in einem Stapel angeordneten Schichten (S) besteht und jede Schicht (S) in der Fläche verteilt mit beidseitig Anlagen für eine Folgeschicht oder für Abstützungen aufweisenden Massebereichen (M) und Freiräumen (F) gebildet ist, wobei im Stapel die Schichten (S) derart positioniert sind, dass jeweils die Massebereiche (M) außerhalb von Anlageflächen (N) mit Freiräumen (F) einer benachbarten Schicht (S) korrespondieren.