Impact energy absorbing device for vehicle

Abstract

An impact energy absorbing device for a vehicle, comprising a cutting sleeve (1) attached on one end to the vehicle and a cutting tool (2) having a circular cross-section, coaxial with the sleeve (1) and movable along the sleeve (1), whereby the cutting tool (2) has a blade (3) positioned along the circumference of the sleeve (1), grooves (4) for guiding the blade (3) are provided along the length of the sleeve (1), whereby the grooves (4) lie on the circumference of the sleeve (1) such that the positions of these grooves correspond to the circumferential position of the blade (3). Wherein the cutting tool (2) is located at the free end of the sleeve (1) and is fixed with a closure element (6) holding the cutting tool (2) allowing the cutting tool to slide along the sleeve (1) towards the end of the sleeve attached to the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an impact energy absorbing device for a vehicle, comprising a cutting sleeve attached to the vehicle at one end and a cutting tool with a circular cross-section, the cutting tool being coaxial with the sleeve and movable along the sleeve, whereby the cutting tool has blades distributed along the circumference of the sleeve, and there are grooves for guiding the blades along the length of the sleeve, whereby the grooves are located on the circumference of the sleeve so that the positions of the grooves correspond to the circumferential positions of the blades. Background Art

[0002] Patents PL202114B1 and PL211405B1 disclose an impact energy absorbing device comprising a rod and a cutting tool surrounding the rod. The cutting tool has at least three blades located at the circumference of the rod in the groove, and there is a guide for positioning the rod between the blades.

[0003] In such devices, the energy absorption path is limited by the length of the device and the length of the space behind the device. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to extend the energy absorption path while eliminating the disadvantages of the above-mentioned solutions, which are the need to provide space inside the vehicle for the cut rod (in these solutions, the cut rod is gradually slid into the vehicle interior where there is a suitable space to accommodate the rod).

[0005] The impact energy absorbing device for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises a cutting sleeve attached to the vehicle at one end and a cutting tool having a circular cross section, the cutting tool being coaxial with the sleeve and movable along the sleeve. The cutting tool has a blade positioned along the circumference of the sleeve, and there are grooves for guiding the blade along the length of the sleeve, whereby the grooves are distributed on the circumference of the sleeve so that their positions correspond to the circumferential positions of the blades. The invention is characterized in that the cutting tool is located at the free end of the sleeve and is fixed with a closing element, which holds the cutting tool so as to allow the cutting tool to slide along the sleeve towards the end of the sleeve attached to the vehicle.

[0006] Preferably, the sleeve is attached to the vehicle by means of a welded mounting plate.

[0007] It is also preferred that the cutting tool is movable inside the sleeve with its blade pointing outwards.

[0008] Preferably, the sleeve is equipped with a reinforcement ring around the sleeve, the reinforcement ring being arranged near the end of the sleeve attached to the vehicle, but at a distance from said end. More preferably, the reinforcement ring is welded to the sleeve. Also more preferably, the reinforcement ring has a triangular cross section, a rectangular cross section or a curved cross section.

[0009] Preferably, the sleeve interior comprises at least one circumferential groove.

[0010] Preferably, the sleeve has a neck internally.

[0011] Preferably, the cutting tool has a flange at its free end.

[0012] Preferably, the sleeve has a circular cross section, an elliptical cross section or a polygonal cross section.

[0013] Preferably, the sleeve has a rectilinear, parabolic or sinusoidal longitudinal cross section.

[0014] Preferably, the groove has a triangular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section or a curved cross-section.

[0015] Preferably, the neck has a triangular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section or a curved cross-section.

[0016] Preferably, the groove has a triangular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section or a curved cross-section.

[0017] Preferably, the cutting tool is simultaneously the driven element.

[0018] The device according to the invention operates in such a way that the cutting tool cuts through stripes of the sleeve material, thereby weakening the material along the stripes. In extreme cases, the blade may even completely cut the sleeve into several pieces along the axis of the sleeve. The force generated by the impact is applied to the tool, which is thus pushed along the axis of the sleeve towards the vehicle to which the sleeve is attached. In addition, the free end of the sleeve is pushed, which causes a deformation (buckling) of the remaining stripes of the sleeve material that have not been cut, thereby extending the path and time for absorbing the energy generated by the collision.

[0019] The sleeve piece that is cut can be cut and deformed into any number of pieces in various ways.As mentioned, the cut can include the entire thickness of the sleeve or a portion thereof, but is deep enough to tear and deform the tear piece.

[0020] It is thus clear that the preferred features of the invention indicated in the dependent claims may influence the efficiency of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present invention is shown in the drawings in which Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown before the subsequent operation phase begins, that is, in the pre-impact phase ( Figure 1 ), during the cutting phase during collision but before the remaining sleeve stripes are deformed ( Figure 2 ), as well as during the cutting phase and during deformation of the remaining sleeve stripes ( Figure 3 ) cross section. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 A perspective projection of a device is shown, with parts of the device cut away to allow a better view of the interior at each time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In an embodiment, an impact energy absorbing device for a vehicle includes a cutting sleeve 1 attached to the vehicle at one end and a cutting tool 2 having a circular cross-section, which is coaxial with the sleeve 1 and can move along the sleeve 1. The cutting tool 2 is also a follower and includes a blade 3 positioned along the circumference of the sleeve 1. The sleeve 1 has a groove 4 along its length for guiding the blade 3. The groove 4 is located on the circumference of the sleeve 1 so that the position of the groove corresponds to the circumferential position of the blade 3. Of course, the size of the groove conforms to the size of the blade 3 so that the blade can slide freely in the groove. In an embodiment, the groove 4 has a rectangular cross-section, however, those skilled in the art will know that other cross-sectional shapes (including triangular or curved shapes) may also be used depending on the desired device parameters.

[0023] The cutting tool 2 is located at the free end of the sleeve 1 and is fixed with a closing element 6, which holds the cutting tool 2, thereby allowing the cutting tool to slide along the sleeve 1 towards the end of the sleeve attached to the vehicle. In an embodiment, the sleeve 1 has a welding mounting plate 5 for attaching the sleeve 1 to a vehicle (not shown). However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sleeve 1 can be attached to the vehicle in any suitable manner known in the art. The cutting tool 2 can move inside the sleeve 1, and its blade 3 points outward. The number of blades 3 can be adjusted to match the size of the sleeve and to delay the degree of dissipation of energy from the collision.

[0024] In an embodiment, the sleeve 1 has a circular cross section and a rectilinear longitudinal section. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that for different shrinkage parameters, different cross-sectional shapes may be used, for example, the sleeve 1 may have an elliptical cross section or a polygonal cross section, and the cross section may be parabolic or sinusoidal.

[0025] A reinforcing ring 7 is welded on the outside of the sleeve 1. The purpose of the ring 7 is to divide the sleeve 1 in two, whereby during shrinkage, in the portion from the ring 7 to the free end of the sleeve, the stripe of sleeve 1 material remaining after cutting will deform, while the portion from the ring 7 to the vehicle will not deform, but will only be cut. Of course, the ring 7 is not essential for the proper operation of the device. In an embodiment without the ring 7 (not shown), the stripes along the entire sleeve will deform in a less controlled and organized manner, but the device will also perform its role, namely energy dissipation.

[0026] The reinforcing ring 7 in the embodiment has a cross section close to a rectangle, but the cross section may also have another rectangular, triangular or curved shape - this depends on the target parameters, which is obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[0027] The sleeve 1 has a number of circumferential grooves 8 inside. These circumferential grooves are designed to break up the debris (not shown) remaining after cutting the material of the sleeve 1. The number and position of the grooves 8 can be appropriately selected according to the size of the device to achieve the most efficient operation. In the embodiment, the cross-section of the groove 8 is triangular, but those skilled in the art will know that other shapes, such as rectangular or curved, can also be used.

[0028] The sleeve 1 also has an internal neck 9. When deformation of the sleeve 1 piece begins during cutting, the force will temporarily increase. If the neck 9 is present, it will reduce the cutting force. The total force is the sum of the cutting force and the deformation force. Therefore, the neck 9 ensures a relatively stable value of the total force. In an embodiment, the cross section of the neck 9 is triangular, but a person skilled in the art will know that other shapes, such as triangular or curved shapes, may also be used.

[0029] In embodiments, these elements play an important role in the energy transfer process. Of course, the grooves 8 and flexures 9 are not essential - the device will also perform its function without these elements, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0030] The cutting tool 2 has a flange 10 at the end receiving the impact force. The flange 10 is not an indispensable element, but it improves the distribution of the force.

[0031] The apparatus in the above-described embodiment operates as follows.

[0032] Phase I Figure 1 and Figure 4 The device is shown before this stage, i.e. before the collision)

[0033] When a force (axially or at an angle to the axis of the device) is applied to the flange 10 of the cutting tool 2, the cutter starts to move axially towards the end of the sleeve 1 attached to the vehicle, and the stripes of material in the sleeve 1 are cut by the blade 3 of the cutting tool 2. This cutting involves high resistance, which allows energy to be absorbed. The cutting tool 2 moves inside the sleeve 1 being cut until the flange 10 reaches the end of the sleeve 1. The internal groove 8 is designed to break up the debris generated during cutting.

[0034] Phase II Figure 2 and Figure 5 The device before this stage is shown)

[0035] When the flange 10 of the cutting tool 2 contacts the end of the sleeve 1 facing away from the vehicle, the flange 10 of the cutting tool 2 presses the sleeve 1, thereby causing the bending of the piece 11 of the sleeve 1 produced by the cutting. Thus, the inner groove 8 plays an important role in reducing the peak force at the beginning of the bending.

[0036] During this phase, the cutting force is reduced (due to the neck 9 in the sleeve 1), thereby counteracting the forces generated by the buckling. In this way, the total force can be kept at a constant level.

[0037] This phase ends when the blade 3 of the cutting tool 2 reaches the end of the neck 9 .

[0038] Phase III Figure 3 and Figure 6 The device before this stage is shown)

[0039] In this phase, the cutting tool 2 moves further. This is possible because the piece 11 remaining from the sleeve 1 after cutting is further bent. The reinforcement ring 7 limits the distance that the piece 11 remaining from the sleeve 1 after cutting is bent, which significantly increases the resistance of the device to transverse forces.

[0040] Of course, the above description of operation only relates to the previously discussed embodiment, including almost all the preferred features of the device. In other embodiments, the various stages are optional, for example, in an embodiment without a reinforcing ring 7, stage III will not occur, and the length of the remaining piece 11 bent after cutting will not be limited, but the bending will occur over the entire length of the sleeve 1.

[0041] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the features indicated in the claims can be combined with one another in any combination suitable for a given application of the solution.

Claims

1. An impact energy absorbing device for a vehicle, comprising a cutting sleeve (1) attached to the vehicle at one end and a cutting tool (2) having a circular cross section, the cutting tool being coaxial with the sleeve (1) and being movable along the sleeve (1), whereby the cutting tool (2) has a blade (3) positioned along the circumference of the sleeve (1), and there being a groove (4) for guiding the blade (3) along the length of the sleeve (1), whereby the groove (4) is located on the circumference of the sleeve (1) so that its position corresponds to the circumferential position of the blade (3), characterized in that The cutting tool (2) is located at the free end of the sleeve (1) and is secured with a closing element (6) which holds the cutting tool (2) allowing it to slide along the sleeve (1) towards the end where the sleeve is attached to the vehicle.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) is attached to the vehicle by means of a welded mounting plate (5).

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool (2) is movable inside the sleeve (1) and its blade (3) points outwards.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) is equipped with a reinforcement ring (7) surrounding the sleeve (1), the reinforcement ring being placed near the end of the sleeve (1) attached to the vehicle, but at a distance from the end.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement ring (7) is welded to the sleeve (1).

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) has at least one circumferential groove (8) inside.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) has a neck (9) inside.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool (2) has a flange (10) at its free end.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) has a circular cross-section.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) has an elliptical cross section.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) has a polygonal cross-section.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) has a rectilinear longitudinal cross-section.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) has a parabolic longitudinal cross-section.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (1) has a sinusoidal longitudinal cross-section.

15. The device according to claim 6, wherein the groove (8) has a triangular cross-section.

16. The device according to claim 6, wherein the groove (8) has a rectangular cross section.

17. The device according to claim 6, wherein the groove (8) has a curvilinear cross section.

18. The device according to claim 7, wherein the neck (9) has a triangular cross section.

19. The device according to claim 7, wherein the neck (9) has a rectangular cross section.

20. The device according to claim 7, wherein the neck (9) has a curvilinear cross section.

21. The device according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement ring (7) has a triangular cross section.

22. The device according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement ring (7) has a rectangular cross section.

23. The device according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement ring (7) has a curvilinear cross section.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein the groove (4) has a triangular cross-section.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein the groove (4) has a rectangular cross-section.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein the groove (4) has a curvilinear cross section.

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool (2) is also a driven element.

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