Elasto-plastic hybrid variable form buffer energy absorption device

Abstract

An elasto-plastic mixed variable form buffer energy absorption device belongs to the technical field of buffer energy absorption and comprises an outer shell, a wave spring and a partition plate. The outer shell is a main support part. At least one side of the upper and lower sides of the partition plate is provided with the wave spring. The part composed of the partition plate and the wave spring is installed on the outer shell. The outer shell, the wave spring and the partition plate are coaxially assembled to form a basic unit. The basic unit is provided with a plurality of basic units. The plurality of basic units are assembled in an axial array from top to bottom to form the buffer energy absorption device. The elasto-plastic mixed variable form buffer energy absorption device has reasonable design, simple and ingenious structure, can realize elasto-plastic deformation of the structure when a slight collision occurs, dissipate energy in time, and effectively improve the safety protection ability of passengers or pedestrians.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of buffer energy absorption technology, and more particularly to a hybrid elastic-plastic buffer energy absorption device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of my country's automotive industry, the trend towards smaller and miniaturized vehicles is evident, making collision safety a critical issue for the industry. Traditional passive safety devices are made of thin-walled metal, which dissipates impact energy through plastic crumpling deformation during a collision, thereby reducing vehicle speed and protecting major components and occupants. However, traditional passive safety devices often have excessive stiffness. In minor collisions involving micro and small vehicles, these devices may fail to deform in time to dissipate impact energy, resulting in injuries to occupants or pedestrians and potentially leading to serious accidents.

[0003] To address similar issues, existing technologies disclose a parallel energy-absorbing assembly combining elastic buffering and plastic flipping, which combines an elastic buffering spring with a plastic flipping energy-absorbing tube to achieve buffering and energy absorption effects.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned existing technologies still have the following problems in practical use: First, the springs that play a buffering role cannot withstand lateral loads, making it difficult to integrate the combined device into the vehicle body system; second, after the spring assembly absorbs energy through compression, it immediately returns to its original state and releases elastic energy once the external load is removed, which can easily cause secondary collisions for occupants; third, the amount of energy absorbed by the springs that play a buffering role is only related to the spring elastic coefficient and the amount of compression. To increase energy absorption, one can only choose raw materials with a larger elastic coefficient or increase the original length of the spring, resulting in poor structural designability and low total energy absorption capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as poor lateral load bearing capacity and susceptibility to secondary collisions, and to provide an elastic-plastic hybrid deformation buffer energy absorption device. This device is reasonably designed and has a simple and ingenious structure. It can achieve elastic-plastic deformation of the structure during minor collisions and dissipate energy in a timely manner, thereby effectively improving the safety protection of occupants or pedestrians.

[0006] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: an elastic-plastic hybrid variant buffer energy absorption device, comprising a shell, a wave spring and a partition, wherein the shell is the main supporting part, and a wave spring is provided on at least one side of the upper and lower sides of the partition, and the part formed by the partition and the wave spring is installed on the shell; the shell, the wave spring and the partition are coaxially assembled to form a basic unit, and several basic units are provided, and the several basic units are axially arrayed from top to bottom to form a buffer energy absorption device.

[0007] The wave-like elasticity of this energy-absorbing buffer device primarily absorbs smaller impact energies through elastic deformation, while the outer shell and partitions dissipate larger impact energies through plastic deformation. By strategically positioning the wave springs relative to the outer shell and partitions, energy absorption during minor collisions is achieved through localized elastic plastic deformation, resulting in a lower impact force threshold for triggering structural energy absorption. During larger collisions, the device enters a global plastic deformation phase, absorbing a significant amount of impact energy through plastic deformation, leading to a higher impact force threshold for triggering structural energy absorption. It is noteworthy that the outer shell and partitions act as outer covers for the wave springs. This ensures that after the wave springs absorb energy through elastic deformation, the stored elastic potential energy remains trapped within the structure of the outer shell and partitions, preventing secondary collisions and ensuring the safety of the occupants.

[0008] A further improvement of the present invention is that there is one wave spring, which is disposed on the upper side of the partition; the partition and the outer shell are connected as one piece, and a cavity is formed between the partition and the outer shell.

[0009] A further improvement of the present invention is that there is one wave spring, which is disposed on the lower side of the partition; the partition and the outer shell are connected as one unit, and a cavity is formed between the partition and the outer shell, and the wave spring is disposed in the cavity.

[0010] A further improvement of the present invention is that there are two wave springs, which are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the partition; the partition and the outer shell are connected as one piece, and a cavity is formed between the partition and the outer shell, and the wave spring located on the lower side of the partition is disposed in the cavity.

[0011] A further improvement of the present invention is that the outer shell is a cylindrical shell, the partition is a circular plate, and the diameter of the outer shell corresponds to the diameter of the partition; both the outer shell and the partition are provided with a coaxial central through hole, and a tube section is provided on the upper side of the partition at the central through hole, and a wave spring can be sleeved on the tube section, with the tube section corresponding to the central through hole of the outer shell.

[0012] A further improvement of the present invention is that a shell welding groove is provided at the opening of the shell along the circumferential direction, and the shell can be welded to the partition through the shell welding groove; a partition welding groove is provided at the opening on the upper side of the pipe section along the circumferential direction, and the pipe section can be welded to the central through hole on the shell through the partition welding groove.

[0013] A further improvement of the present invention is that the waveform spring is a single-layer waveform spring or a peak-to-valley multi-layer waveform spring.

[0014] A further improvement of the present invention is that the wave spring is made of spring steel.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This buffer energy absorption device can dissipate impact energy in a timely manner under minor collision conditions, thereby greatly improving the protection of occupants or pedestrians; 2. Compared with the prior art, this buffer energy absorption device has stronger axial and radial load-bearing capacity, realizes the storage of elastic energy of wave springs, has strong design capability, and has higher energy dissipation efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the basic unit in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment two of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the basic unit in Embodiment 2.

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Exploded view.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment three of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the basic unit in Embodiment 3.

[0025] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Exploded view.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the outer shell of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the waveform spring according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the partition structure according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a compression load displacement curve diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 14 This is a demonstration diagram of local plastic deformation in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 15 This is a demonstration diagram showing the end of local plastic deformation in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 16 This is a partial compaction demonstration diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 17 These are complete compaction demonstration diagrams of specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] 1. Outer shell; 11. Outer shell welding groove; 12. Outer shell height; 2. Wave spring; 21. Spring outer diameter; 22. Circumferential wave number; 23. Spring height; 24. Spring material thickness; 25. Spring width; 3. Partition plate; 31. Partition plate welding groove. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specific embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this patent, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this patent.

[0036] Example 1, now referred to Figure 1 , 2 3, 10, 11, and 12, in conjunction with specific embodiments, are described as follows: A elasto-plastic hybrid variant buffer energy absorption device includes a shell 1, a wave spring 2, and a partition 3. The shell 1 is the main supporting part and is a cylindrical shell. The partition 3 is a circular plate, and the diameter of the shell 1 corresponds to the diameter of the partition 3. Both the shell 1 and the partition 3 are provided with coaxial central through holes. A tube section is provided on the upper side of the partition 3 at the central through hole, and the tube section corresponds to the central through hole on the shell 1. One wave spring is provided and is sleeved on the tube section to be located on the upper side of the partition. The partition 3 and the shell 1 are welded together, and a cavity is formed between the partition 3 and the shell 1. The shell 1, the wave spring 2, and the partition 3 are coaxially assembled to form a basic unit. Several basic units are provided and are axially arrayed from top to bottom. Two adjacent basic units are welded to each other through tube sections and the central through holes on the shell, thereby forming this buffer energy absorption device.

[0037] The operating principle of this invention is as follows: The waveform elasticity of this buffer energy-absorbing device primarily absorbs smaller impact energies through elastic deformation, while the outer shell 1 and partition 3 dissipate larger impact energies through plastic deformation. By strategically positioning the waveform spring 2 relative to the outer shell 1 and partition 3, energy absorption during micro-collisions is achieved through localized elastic plastic deformation, resulting in a lower impact force threshold for triggering structural energy absorption. During larger-scale collisions, the buffer energy-absorbing device enters a global plastic deformation phase, absorbing a significant amount of impact energy through plastic deformation, leading to a higher impact force threshold for triggering structural energy absorption. It is noteworthy that the outer shell 1 and partition 3 act as outer covers for the waveform spring 2. Thus, after the waveform spring 2 absorbs energy through elastic deformation, because it is enclosed within the cavity formed by the outer shell and partition, the stored elastic potential energy cannot be released even after the external load is removed, preventing secondary collisions.

[0038] During the assembly process of this buffer energy absorption device, the outer shell height 12 and outer shell thickness of the outer shell 1 can be set to different values ​​to achieve a gradual energy absorption effect. Furthermore, the parameters of the wave spring, such as the outer diameter 21, circumferential wave number 22, spring height 23, spring material thickness 24, and spring width 25, can be optimized according to the requirements for minor impact performance. It is important to note that the outer shell height 12 must be slightly larger than the height of the wave spring 2 to prevent initial prestress from being applied to the weld during assembly and welding, which could affect the welding quality.

[0039] To illustrate the energy absorption effect of this buffer energy absorption device, a crush analysis was performed on the device, referring to... Figure 14 —17. The crushing process of this buffer energy absorption device can be divided into two stages: local plastic deformation and global plastic deformation. At the beginning of compression, due to the small impact load, the entire energy absorption device undergoes uniform elastoplastic deformation from top to bottom (e.g., Figure 14 As shown in the diagram, elastic deformation is mainly induced by the wave spring 2, while plastic deformation primarily occurs on the partition 3. As the collision load gradually increases, the elastic deformation of the wave spring 2 reaches its limit, and the elastoplastic deformation stage ends (as shown in the diagram). Figure 15 As shown in the diagram, when the collision load increases further, the buffer energy absorption device begins to undergo global plastic deformation. At this point, plastic deformation not only occurs on the partition wall, but the outer shell 1 also begins to buckle. Subsequently, the structure undergoes localized compaction under the action of the collision load (as shown in the diagram). Figure 16 As shown), finally completely compacted (as shown). Figure 17 As shown in the figure, it loses its buffering and energy absorption capabilities.

[0040] Reference Figure 13To more intuitively illustrate the difference between this buffer energy absorption device and traditional energy absorption devices, the attached diagram shows the compression load-displacement curves of both during the crushing process. The diagram clearly shows that when the collision load is less than 6.15 kN, the elastic-plastic hybrid deformation buffer energy absorption device undergoes localized plastic deformation, dissipating the impact energy of a minor collision. Once the impact load increases further, the structure enters a global plastic deformation stage, rapidly dissipating larger collision energy through extensive plastic deformation. However, for traditional energy absorption devices, when a minor collision occurs, the structure remains in the elastic deformation stage, unable to dissipate the impact energy in time, easily causing injury to occupants or pedestrians and leading to serious accidents.

[0041] In this embodiment, a circumferential welding groove 11 is provided at the opening of the outer shell 1, allowing the outer shell 1 to be welded to the partition plate 3. Similarly, a circumferential welding groove 31 is provided at the opening on the upper side of the pipe section, allowing the pipe section to be welded to the central through hole on the outer shell 1. This structure reduces the welding difficulty between the outer shell 1 and the partition plate 3, as well as between adjacent base units.

[0042] In this embodiment, the wave spring 2 is a single-layer wave spring or a peak-to-valley multi-layer wave spring. The wave spring 2 is made of spring steel to ensure that it always maintains elastic deformation during the impact process.

[0043] In Example 2, based on Example 1, other structures remain unchanged, except that there is only one wave spring 2, which is located on the lower side of the partition 3. The partition 3 is integrated with the outer shell 1, forming a chamber between the partition 3 and the outer shell 1, and the wave spring 2 is located within the chamber. Different basic units can be formed by different positional configurations of the outer shell 1, the wave spring 2, and the partition 3, allowing operators to select the appropriate basic unit based on actual conditions.

[0044] In Example 3, based on Example 1, other structures remain unchanged, but two wave springs 2 are used, one on the upper side and one on the lower side of the partition 3. The partition 3 is integrated with the outer shell 1, forming a chamber between the partition 3 and the outer shell 1. The wave spring 2 located on the lower side of the partition 3 is placed inside the chamber. The outer shell 1, the wave spring 2, and the partition 3 can form different basic units through different positional configurations, and the operator can select and use the basic unit according to the actual situation.

[0045] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0046] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A hybrid elastic-plastic type buffer energy absorption device, comprising a housing (1), a wave spring (2), and a partition (3), characterized in that, The outer shell (1) is the main support part. At least one side of the upper and lower sides of the partition (3) is provided with a wave spring (2). The part formed by the partition (3) and the wave spring (2) is installed on the outer shell (1). The outer shell (1), the wave spring (2) and the partition (3) are coaxially assembled to form a basic unit. Several basic units are provided. Several basic units are axially arrayed from top to bottom to form a buffer energy absorption device. There is one wave spring (2), which is located on the upper side of the partition (3); the partition (3) is connected to the outer shell (1) as a whole, and a chamber is formed between the partition (3) and the outer shell (1); The outer shell (1) is a cylindrical shell, and the partition (3) is a circular plate. The diameter of the outer shell (1) corresponds to the diameter of the partition (3). Both the outer shell (1) and the partition (3) are provided with coaxial central through holes. A tube section is provided on the upper side of the partition (3) at the central through hole. The wave spring (2) can be sleeved on the tube section, and the tube section corresponds to the central through hole of the outer shell (1). The outer shell height (12) and outer shell thickness of the outer shell (1) are set to different values ​​to achieve a gradual gradient energy absorption effect. The outer shell height (12) is greater than the height of the wave spring (2). The outer diameter (21), circumferential wave number (22), spring height (23), spring material thickness (24), and spring width (25) of the wave spring (2) are optimized according to the collision performance requirements. The opening of the outer shell (1) is provided with a circumferential welding groove (11), and the outer shell (1) can be welded to the partition (3) through the outer shell welding groove (11); the opening on the upper side of the pipe section is provided with a circumferential welding groove (31), and the pipe section can be welded to the central through hole on the outer shell (1) through the partition welding groove (31).

2. A hybrid elastic-plastic type buffer energy absorption device, comprising a housing (1), a wave spring (2), and a partition (3), characterized in that, The outer shell (1) is the main support part. At least one side of the upper and lower sides of the partition (3) is provided with a wave spring (2). The part formed by the partition (3) and the wave spring (2) is installed on the outer shell (1). The outer shell (1), the wave spring (2) and the partition (3) are coaxially assembled to form a basic unit. Several basic units are provided. Several basic units are axially arrayed from top to bottom to form a buffer energy absorption device. There are two wave springs (2), and the two wave springs (2) are respectively set on the upper and lower sides of the partition (3); the partition (3) and the outer shell (1) are connected as one unit, and a cavity is formed between the partition (3) and the outer shell (1). The wave spring (2) located on the lower side of the partition (3) is set in the cavity. The outer shell (1) is a cylindrical shell, and the partition (3) is a circular plate. The diameter of the outer shell (1) corresponds to the diameter of the partition (3). Both the outer shell (1) and the partition (3) are provided with coaxial central through holes. A tube section is provided on the upper side of the partition (3) at the central through hole. The wave spring (2) can be sleeved on the tube section, and the tube section corresponds to the central through hole of the outer shell (1). The outer shell height (12) and outer shell thickness of the outer shell (1) are set to different values ​​to achieve a gradual gradient energy absorption effect. The outer shell height (12) is greater than the height of the wave spring (2). The outer diameter (21), circumferential wave number (22), spring height (23), spring material thickness (24), and spring width (25) of the wave spring (2) are optimized according to the collision performance requirements. The opening of the outer shell (1) is provided with a circumferential welding groove (11), and the outer shell (1) can be welded to the partition (3) through the outer shell welding groove (11); the opening on the upper side of the pipe section is provided with a circumferential welding groove (31), and the pipe section can be welded to the central through hole on the outer shell (1) through the partition welding groove (31).

3. The elasto-plastic hybrid variant buffer energy absorption device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, Waveform spring (2) can be a single-layer waveform spring or a peak-to-valley multi-layer waveform spring.

4. The elasto-plastic hybrid variant buffer energy absorption device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, Wave spring (2) is made of spring steel.

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