Double chamber crushing tank with nanoporous material

Abstract

A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include at least one crush can, a controller, and a pump. The crush can may include a front chamber and a rear chamber. The controller may receive a first signal indicating a load condition generated upon impact, and the pump may displace a nanoporous fluid into at least one of the front chamber and the rear chamber of the crush can in response to a second signal from the controller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to adaptive crash management systems. Background Art

[0002] The insurance rating of a vehicle may be based in part on the extent of damage, the ease with which damaged components can be repaired, and the cost of repairing the vehicle in a low-speed impact event. One such scenario is a 15 kph, 100° tilt, 40% offset rigid guardrail impact to the rear of the vehicle. In this impact mode, damage to the frame rails, backlight, rear floor, liftgate, or decklid is undesirable. All of these parts are welded together in a monolithic vehicle structure. It is desirable to limit damage from a low-speed impact event to only the fenders and bumper system components that can be easily removed from the main vehicle body and replaced after appropriate repairs.

[0003] In conventional bumper systems, the crush cans and bumper beams are designed to avoid damage to the frame rails by preventing high loads from being transferred to the frame rails. The crush space provided by the crush cans is intended to limit the extent of damage to the front and rear vehicle structures. Mounting plates are provided to secure the crush cans to the frame rails to limit excessive displacement that could result from an oncoming guardrail. Summary of the invention

[0004] A vehicle includes at least one crush can, a pump, and a controller configured to command the pump to displace fluid into the crush can in response to predetermined conditions existing upon a vehicle impact.

[0005] A vehicle system includes a crush tank having a front chamber and a rear chamber, a pump connected to the crush tank, and a controller. The controller is configured to power the pump to displace material into the front chamber in response to a signal indicating a front load condition generated during an impact, and to power the pump to displace material into the rear chamber in response to a signal indicating a rear load condition generated during an impact.

[0006] A vehicle system includes a crush can and a nanoporous material including a plurality of interstitial pores suspended in a matrix, the nanoporous material disposed within the crush can and configured such that in response to a pressure within the crush can exceeding a predetermined threshold, the interstitial pores adsorb the matrix to increase energy absorbed by the crush can. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a top view of a vehicle chassis including a vehicle crash system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C A top view of a portion of the crush tank assembly and associated supply equipment.

[0009] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a crushing jar assembly having a circular shape.

[0010] Figure 3B is a perspective view of a crushing tank assembly having a rectangular shape.

[0011] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary container with a nanoporous fluid in a free state and in a compressed state.

[0012] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle and crash energy management system.

[0013] Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the amount of pound force absorbed by a dual chamber crush can with and without porous fluid during an impact event versus time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present invention that can be implemented in various alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show the details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be understood as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art how to adopt the present disclosure in different ways.

[0015] refer to Figure 1 , a top view of a vehicle chassis 10 including a vehicle collision system is shown. The vehicle chassis includes two longitudinally extending vehicle frame rails 12 connected by a plurality of cross members. The front of the vehicle includes a front impact absorbing assembly 14, which includes a front bumper 16. The rear of the vehicle includes a rear impact absorbing assembly 18, which includes a rear bumper 20.

[0016] The front absorbing assembly 14 includes a crush can 22 connected to the front bumper 16. The rear impact absorbing assembly 18 is generally similar to the front impact absorbing assembly 14. Therefore, the description of the front impact absorbing assembly 14 also applies to the description of the rear impact absorbing assembly 18. The crush can 22 is attached to a mounting plate 24 connected to the vehicle frame rail 12. The crush can 22 includes two chambers, a first chamber 26 located closest to the front bumper and a second chamber 28 located closest to the frame rail 12. As will be explained in more detail below, the crush can can be divided or branched by an inner wall between the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28. The crush can 22 can be attached to the vehicle frame rail 12 by threaded fasteners or other suitable fastening means (including but not limited to welding, structural adhesives or other attachment methods). Although two crush cans 22 are shown disposed between the front and rear bumpers and the frame rail 12, in other embodiments, only one crush can or more than two crush cans may be used.

[0017] The crushing tank can be filled with nanoporous material to increase or decrease the stiffness of the crushing tank 22. The nanoporous material can be in the form of a fluid, foam or another quasi-solid phase. Based on the load conditions of the vehicle, the nanoporous material can be disposed in the first chamber or the second chamber. The crushing tank 22 is connected to a pump or actuator 30 and a storage 32 via a supply line 35. The storage 32 can be attached to the front bumper 16 or the vehicle frame rail 12. The pump or actuator 30 is responsible for moving or controlling the nanoporous material from the storage 32 to the crushing tank. The actuator requires a control signal and an energy source. The control signal can be a voltage or current, air pressure or hydraulic pressure. The voltage can be received from a battery or an alternator (not shown) in the vehicle 10. If the hydraulic pressure in the supply line and the storage is greater than a predetermined threshold, the valve can be opened to facilitate the flow of nanoporous material from the storage to the crushing tank 22. Although the supply line 35 is shown connected to the first chamber 26, the supply line 35 can be connected to the second chamber 28 or the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28.

[0018] Multiple sensors may be employed throughout the vehicle 10. Four impact sensors may be disposed between the front bumper 16 and the rear bumper 20. The impact sensors may be configured to determine the amount of force or load applied to the vehicle. Additionally, the impact sensors may determine the load vector or direction of the load applied to the vehicle. The impact sensors may communicate with the controller 34 ( Figure 5 ) are electrically connected. The front driver-side impact sensor 36 may be attached to the inside of the front bumper 16 near the driver's side of the vehicle 10. The front passenger-side impact sensor 38 may be attached to the inside of the front bumper 16 near the passenger side of the vehicle 10. The front impact sensors 36, 38 are configured to determine and differentiate between a partial frontal impact on the passenger or driver's side of the vehicle and a full frontal impact at or near the center of the vehicle 10.

[0019] The rear driver-side impact sensor 40 may be attached to the inside of the rear bumper 20 near the driver's side of the vehicle 10. The rear passenger-side impact sensor 42 may be attached to the inside of the rear bumper 20 near the passenger side of the vehicle 10. Similar to the front impact sensors 36, 38, the rear impact sensors 40, 42 are configured to determine and differentiate between a partial rear impact on the passenger or driver's side of the vehicle and a full rear impact at or near the center of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 may also include a plurality of wheel speed sensors or vehicle speed sensors 44. The wheel speed sensors or speed sensors may be configured to provide the speed of the vehicle and / or the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle during or immediately before an accident.

[0020] refer to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C , a partial top view of a crushing tank 22 and a supply line for nanoporous material is shown. The various illustrations shown are for example only. The crushing tank can receive nanoporous material through other configurations or supply lines arranged in another way. Each crushing tank assembly 22 includes two chambers 26, 28 separated by an inner wall 52. Figure 2A , the crushing tank 22 is connected to a supply line disposed in the antechamber 26 and terminates in a valve 54 disposed in the wall 52. The valve 54 can be passively or actively controlled. If passively controlled, the valve 54 will open in response to a sufficiently large pressure. This means that after the nanoporous fluid accumulates in the first chamber 26 and the pressure in the first chamber reaches a predetermined threshold, the valve 54 will open. In other embodiments, the valve can be electrically connected to a controller ( Figure 1 and Figure 5 ). The controller may be configured to open the valve after a predetermined period of time or after the measured pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The pressure within the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 may include a pressure sensor 55 configured to determine the pressure within each chamber. Figure 2B , supply line 35 extends within first chamber 26, terminating at a hole or orifice in wall 52. Supply line 35 may include a first chamber outlet line 35b oriented orthogonal to supply line 35. In response to valve 54 closing, nanoporous material is prevented from entering second chamber 28 and remains within first chamber 26. Specific reference Figure 2C The crushing tank 22 includes a supply line 35 for supplying nano foam to the first chamber and a second supply line 35 c for supplying nano foam to the second chamber 28 .

[0021] The location of the nanoporous material, whether in the front chamber 18 or the rear chamber 20 or both, can be changed to meet certain collision situations or impact conditions. For example, if the load event has more energy concentrated in the first part of the collision (referred to as a front load condition), it may be advantageous to place the nanoporous material in the first or front chamber 18. Or if the energy associated with the impact event is relatively low, it may be advantageous to fill the first or front chamber 18 with the nanoporous material. If the energy is concentrated or higher at the end of the impact situation (referred to as a rear load condition), it may be advantageous to fill only the rear chamber or second chamber 20. Whether the loading event is a front load condition or a rear load condition may depend at least in part on the configuration of the vehicle frame or the size and shape of the object that the vehicle hits.

[0022] refer to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B , which is a perspective view illustrating some different shapes of the crushing jar. The length of the first chamber 26 of the crushing jar 22 may have a length L1, and the length of the second chamber 28 may have a length L2. The lengths L1 and L2 may be approximately equal to each other. However, in other embodiments, L1 may be longer than L2, or vice versa. Figure 3A The crushing tank has an arc or circular shape. Figure 3B The crush can 22 may have a rectangular or square shape. The crush can 16 may have other shapes based at least on vehicle size, packaging constraints, etc.

[0023] refer to Figure 4, showing a partial cross-sectional view of crushing jars 22a and 22b. Crushing jar 22a includes nanoporous material 60a in an uncompressed or "free" state, and crushing jar 22b includes nanoporous material 60b in a compressed or "filled" state. The nanoporous material can be composed of silica gel or other suitable materials. The nanoporous material can have a granular, glassy, ​​porous form of silica synthesized from sodium silicate. Silica gel contains nanoporous silica microstructures suspended in a fluid. The nanoporous material can be in the form of various states, including but not limited to particles with a pore size range of between 1.25nm and 10.0nm. The nanoporous material 60a includes a plurality of pores 62 suspended in or surrounded by a free liquid phase portion 64. When a force is applied along the direction arrow F, the nanoporous material is compressed by a height or distance h. When compressed, the interfacial tension between the pores 62 and the liquid phase portion 64 is exceeded and the pores 62 become filled pores 66. The pores can be filled by the concept of physical adsorption. Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions or molecules from a gas, fluid or dissolved solid to a surface. When two phases are present, there is an interfacial or surface tension. These phases can be gas / oil, oil / water or gas / water. Interfacial tension is the force that holds the surfaces of a particular phase together and is usually measured in dynes / cm. Interfacial surface tension is a function of pressure, temperature and the composition of each phase. Once the interfacial surface tension is exceeded, the filled pores become denser and more porous than a crushed jar ( Figure 6 ) can increase stiffness, absorb more energy, or both.

[0024] refer to Figure 5 , which is a schematic diagram of an exemplary vehicle control device 70. The vehicle control system may include a Figure 1 1 , a vehicle 10 having multiple sensors as outlined in FIG. 1 , a vehicle controller 34, and a crash energy management system 72. Although illustrated separately, the crash energy management system 72 may be part of the controller 34. The crash energy management system may include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer readable storage devices or media. For example, the computer readable storage devices or media may include volatile and non-volatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and keep alive memory (KAM). KAM is persistent or non-volatile storage that can be used to store various operating variables when the CPU loses power.

[0025] The vehicle 10 and associated sensors may provide various inputs to the crash energy management system 72. Pre-crash parameters may include, but are not limited to, crash detection data collected by various sensors. The sensors may output signals indicating an impending crash. The sensors may include, among others, a global positioning system (GPS), a laser (LIDAR) camera using image recognition, and a radar sensor. The vehicle speed and / or acceleration may be determined by, among others, a wheel speed sensor, a speedometer, a radar, a lidar, and / or a GPS sensor.

[0026] The steering force and the amount of force applied to the vehicle 10 may be detected by a number of sensors. Figure 1 As discussed, the impact sensor may be in electrical communication with the controller 34 to provide a load vector of the force applied during an impact event and the amount of load applied. Chamber pressure may also be one of the inputs to the vehicle controller 34. Chamber pressure may be provided at the crush can 22 ( Figure 2A-2C ) is determined by a plurality of pressure sensors in or near the first chamber and the second chamber. In response to the pressure of the chamber exceeding the threshold, the valve 54 can be opened or closed to control the movement or displacement of the nanoporous material in each chamber.

[0027] Although one controller is shown, the controller 34 may be part of a larger control system and may be controlled by various other controllers throughout the vehicle 10, such as a vehicle system controller (VSC). It should therefore be understood that the controller 34 and one or more other controllers may be collectively referred to as a "controller" that controls various actuators in response to signals from various sensors to control the functions of the vehicle 10 or vehicle subsystems. The controller 34 may include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer-readable storage devices or media. For example, the computer-readable storage device or media may include volatile and non-volatile storage in read-only storage (ROM), random access storage (RAM), and keep-alive storage (KAM). KAM is persistent or non-volatile storage that can be used to store various operating variables when the CPU is powered down. The computer readable storage device or media may be implemented using any of a number of known storage devices, such as a PROM (programmable read-only memory), an EPROM (electrically programmable read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), flash memory, or any other electrical storage device, magnetic storage device, optical storage device, or combination thereof capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions used by the controller 34 to control the vehicle 10 or a vehicle subsystem.

[0028] The control logic or functions performed by the controller 34 may be represented by a flowchart or similar diagram in one or more figures. These figures provide representative control strategies and / or logic that can be implemented using one or more processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, etc. Therefore, the multiple steps or functions shown in the order shown and performed in parallel are omitted in some cases. Although not always explicitly shown, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the steps or functions shown may be repeated according to the specific processing strategy used. Similarly, to achieve the features and advantages described herein, the order of processing is not necessarily required, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. The control logic may be implemented primarily by software executed by a microprocessor-based vehicle, engine and / or assembly controller (e.g., controller 34). Of course, depending on the specific application, the control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers. When implemented in software, the control logic may be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or a medium having stored data, which represents a code or instruction executed by a computer for controlling a vehicle or its subsystems. The computer-readable storage device or medium may include one or more of a number of known physical devices that utilize electrical, magnetic, and / or optical storage to maintain executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.

[0029] The controller 34 may be configured to receive via an electrical signal Figure 1 The controller 34 may include an input channel configured to transmit the request or command (via the electrical signal) to the various vehicle components. The controller 34 may include control logic and / or algorithms configured to generate the request or command communicated through the output channel based on the request, command, condition, or state of the various vehicle components.

[0030] Input channels and output channels are Figure 1 It should be understood that a single dotted line can represent an input channel and an output channel entering or leaving a single element. In addition, an output channel in one element can serve as an input channel of another element, and vice versa.

[0031] refer to Figure 6, which shows the results of a high-speed frontal impact test. Line S1 represents a dual-chamber crushing pot without nanoporous material. Line S2 represents a dual-chamber crushing pot 22 including nanoporous material disposed in each chamber. The y-axis in the figure represents the force (K-lbf) associated with the simulated frontal impact test, and the x-axis in the figure represents time (ms). It can be seen from the figure that S2 and S1 closely track each other between the origin and 2ms. However, after about 2ms, the crushing pot filled with nanoporous material absorbs approximately 50% more energy than the crushing pot without nanoporous material.

[0032] Although exemplary embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the present invention. On the contrary, the wording used in the specification is for illustration rather than for limitation, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the features of the various embodiments may be combined to further form further embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: at least one crushing jar; Pumps; as well as a controller configured to command the pump to displace fluid into the crush can in response to a predetermined condition existing upon an impact of the vehicle, The fluid is a nanoporous fluid having a first density before impact and a second density greater than the first density after impact.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined condition is that the speed of the vehicle exceeds a first threshold.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined condition is that the load force exceeds a force threshold.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined condition is that the acceleration of the vehicle is lower than an acceleration threshold.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one comminution can includes an inner wall that separates a front chamber and a rear chamber and defines an aperture that allows the fluid to flow between the front chamber and the rear chamber.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid is silicon dioxide.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined condition is that the load force is less than a force threshold.

8. A vehicle system comprising: A crushing tank, the crushing tank comprising a front chamber and a rear chamber; a pump connected to the pulverizing tank; as well as A controller, wherein the controller is configured to: responsive to a signal indicative of a front load condition generated during an impact, powering the pump to displace material into the front chamber; and responsive to a signal indicative of a rear loading condition generated during an impact, energizing the pump to displace the material into the rear chamber, The material has a first density before impact and a second density greater than the first density after impact.

9. The vehicle system according to claim 8, wherein: The front load condition is a vehicle speed exceeding a first threshold.

10. The vehicle system according to claim 9, wherein: The rear load condition is that the vehicle speed is less than the first threshold.

11. The vehicle system of claim 8, further comprising a material storage connected to the pump and the crush tank, the material storage configured to store the material.

12. The vehicle system according to claim 8, wherein: The material is silicon dioxide.

13. A vehicle system comprising: crushing cans; a pump connected to the pulverizing tank; and a nanoporous material comprising a plurality of interstitial pores suspended in a matrix, the nanoporous material disposed within the pulverizing pot and configured such that, in response to a pressure within the pulverizing pot exceeding a predetermined threshold, the interstitial pores adsorb the matrix to increase energy absorbed by the pulverizing pot; a controller configured to command the pump to displace the nanoporous material into the crush tank in response to a predetermined condition existing upon a vehicle impact, The nanoporous material has a first density before the pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold, and has a second density greater than the first density after the pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold.

14. The vehicle system according to claim 13, wherein: The nanoporous material is silicon dioxide.

Images