A metamaterial energy-absorbing device and rail vehicle based on a periodic structure

Abstract

This application provides a metamaterial energy-absorbing device and a rail vehicle based on a periodic structure. The metamaterial energy-absorbing device includes: a metamaterial energy-absorbing structure comprising multiple first cell groups and multiple second cell groups, the first and second cell groups being alternately arranged in an array and forming a multi-layered structure along the energy absorption direction; a guide hole inside the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure, extending along the energy absorption direction and penetrating both ends of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure; an anti-climb device disposed at one end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure; a mounting base disposed at the other end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure for connection to the vehicle body; and a guide rod inserted into the guide hole; one end of the guide rod is connected to the anti-climb device, and the other end is connected to the mounting base. The metamaterial energy-absorbing device and rail vehicle provided in this application allow each cell group to sequentially crush and deform to absorb collision energy during a collision. The deformation process is orderly and controllable, resulting in a relatively stable change in impact force and avoiding the problem of sudden increases in impact force causing serious damage to the vehicle body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to vehicle collision energy absorption technology, and more particularly to a metamaterial energy absorption device based on a periodic structure and a rail vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Safety is the most critical issue in rail vehicle operation. Effectively dissipating the enormous energy generated in collisions to minimize casualties and property damage is a top priority in traffic safety research. In energy dissipation systems, the coupler buffer device incorporates an energy-absorbing structure as the primary component for absorbing collision energy. Commonly used energy-absorbing structures include bulging-tear, cutting, crushing, and necking types.

[0003] Metamaterial structures are a novel type of thin-walled energy-absorbing structure, fabricated from polymers, metals, and alloys into specific topological structures. As artificially synthesized materials, metamaterial structures exhibit significant advantages over natural materials in parameters such as negative Poisson's ratio, negative effective mass density, and negative effective modulus. They possess superior impact resistance, energy absorption capacity, and vibration and noise reduction capabilities, making them highly promising for applications in collision energy absorption.

[0004] Currently, some research institutions and enterprises have introduced some thin-walled energy-absorbing structures, which use the crushing plastic deformation of the energy-absorbing structure to absorb the energy of vehicle collisions. However, research has found that the energy absorption efficiency of existing energy-absorbing structures is low and does not meet the design requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address one of the aforementioned technical deficiencies, this application provides a metamaterial energy-absorbing device and a rail vehicle based on a periodic structure.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of this application, a metamaterial energy absorption device based on a periodic structure is provided, comprising:

[0007] The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure includes multiple first cell groups and multiple second cell groups. The first cell groups and second cell groups are arranged alternately in an array and periodically arranged in a multi-layer structure along the energy absorption direction. The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure has guide holes inside, which extend along the energy absorption direction and penetrate through both ends of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure.

[0008] An anti-climb device is installed at one end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure;

[0009] The mounting bracket, located at the other end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure, is used to connect to the vehicle body;

[0010] A guide rod is inserted into the guide hole; one end of the guide rod is connected to the anti-climb device, and the other end is connected to the mounting base.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this application, a rail vehicle is provided, including: a metamaterial energy absorption device based on a periodic structure as described above.

[0012] The technical solution provided in this application adopts a metamaterial energy-absorbing structure, including multiple first cell groups and multiple second cell groups. The first and second cell groups are arranged alternately in an array and periodically arranged in a multi-layer structure along the energy absorption direction. The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure has a guide hole inside, which extends along the energy absorption direction and passes through both ends of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure. An anti-climb device is set at one end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure. A mounting base is set at the other end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure for connecting to the vehicle body. A guide rod is inserted into the guide hole. One end of the guide rod is connected to the anti-climb device, and the other end is connected to the mounting base. Each cell group can be crushed and deformed in sequence to absorb collision energy during a collision. The deformation process is orderly and controllable, making the impact force change relatively stable and avoiding the problem of sudden increase in impact force causing serious damage to the vehicle body. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the metamaterial energy absorption device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0015] Figure 2 A front view of the metamaterial energy absorption device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a left or right view of the metamaterial energy absorption device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure and the guide rod in the metamaterial energy-absorbing device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0018] Figure 5 A top view of the assembly of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure and the guide rod in the metamaterial energy-absorbing device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a top view of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure in the metamaterial energy-absorbing device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the two-layer cell structure in the metamaterial energy absorption device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 8This is another schematic diagram of the two-layer cell structure in the metamaterial energy absorption device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 9 A top view of the two-layer cell in the metamaterial energy absorption device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 10 Another top view of the two-layer cell in the metamaterial energy absorption device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0024] Figure label:

[0025] 1-Metamaterial energy-absorbing structure; 11-First cell group; 12-Second cell group; 13-Guide hole; 14-Cell sheet; 141-Central hole; 15-Cell block; 151-Through hole; 16-Interlayer; 17-Covering layer; 171-Induction groove;

[0026] 2-Anti-climb device;

[0027] 3-Mounting base;

[0028] 4-Guide rod. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the exemplary embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not an exhaustive list of all embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0030] This embodiment provides a metamaterial energy-absorbing device based on a periodic structure, which can be applied to rail vehicles. Specifically, it is installed at the front end of the driver's cab of the rail vehicle to absorb collision energy when a collision occurs at the front end of the vehicle.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the metamaterial energy-absorbing device based on a periodic structure provided in this embodiment includes: a metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1, an anti-climb device 2, a mounting base 3, and a guide rod 4.

[0032] The anti-climb device 2 is located at one end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1, and the anti-climb device 2 is equipped with anti-climb teeth. When the two vehicles collide head-on, the anti-climb teeth of the two vehicles interlock to prevent one vehicle from crushing the other.

[0033] Mounting base 3 is located at the other end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 and is used to install it to the front of the vehicle body. When a collision occurs at the front of the vehicle, the impact force is transmitted along the direction from the anti-climb device 2, the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 to the mounting base 3, which is also the energy-absorbing direction.

[0034] The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 includes multiple first cell groups 11 and multiple second cell groups 12. The first cell groups 11 and second cell groups 12 are arranged alternately in an array and periodically arranged along the energy-absorbing direction to form a multi-layer structure, forming a cuboid shape. The height direction of the cuboid ( Figure 4 The Z-direction is the energy absorption direction, while the length and width directions are the X and Y directions, respectively. When applied to rail vehicles, the length direction of the rail vehicle is longitudinal, the width direction is transverse, and the height direction is vertical. The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 is installed on the rail vehicle with the Z-direction arranged longitudinally, and the X and Y directions arranged transversely and vertically, respectively.

[0035] The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 has a guide hole 13 inside, which extends along the energy absorption direction and passes through both ends of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1. A guide rod 4 is inserted into the guide hole, with one end connected to the anti-climb device 2 and the other end connected to the mounting base 4. During the collision, the guide rod 4 moves backward to constrain the lateral and vertical displacement of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure, ensuring that the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure crushes and deforms longitudinally to absorb the collision energy.

[0036] During the collision, the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12 are crushed and deformed sequentially along the longitudinal direction. Multiple first cell groups 11 and second cell groups 12 evenly disperse the impact force, reduce local stress concentration, gradually absorb the collision energy, form an orderly and controllable deformation, make the impact force curve smoother, and reduce the peak crushing force.

[0037] The technical solution provided in this embodiment adopts a metamaterial energy-absorbing structure, including multiple first cell groups and multiple second cell groups. The first and second cell groups are arranged alternately in an array and periodically arranged in a multi-layer structure along the energy absorption direction. The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure has guide holes inside, which extend along the energy absorption direction and penetrate through both ends of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure. An anti-climb device is set at one end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure. A mounting base is set at the other end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure for connection with the vehicle body. A guide rod is inserted into the guide hole. One end of the guide rod is connected to the anti-climb device, and the other end is connected to the mounting base. Each cell group can crush and deform sequentially to absorb collision energy during a collision. The deformation process is orderly and controllable, making the impact force change relatively stable and avoiding the problem of sudden increase in impact force causing serious damage to the vehicle body.

[0038] In the above scheme, the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12 are alternately arranged in an array and periodically arranged in a multi-layer structure along the energy absorption direction, for example... Figures 4 to 10As shown, in a single-layer structure, the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12 of each row are arranged alternately, and the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12 of each column are also arranged alternately. This scheme can make the deformation between cell groups in a single layer staggered, avoid large deformation of cell groups in the lateral or vertical direction, neutralize the force fluctuation caused by plastic hinge buckling, and effectively smooth the impact force curve.

[0039] Furthermore, each first cell group 11 is arranged periodically along the energy absorption direction, and each second cell group 12 is arranged periodically along the energy absorption direction, which enables the cell group to continuously undergo crushing deformation in the energy absorption direction.

[0040] Based on the above scheme, this embodiment provides an implementation method for the first cell group 11:

[0041] like Figures 7 to 10 As shown, the first cell group 11 includes: one cell slice 14 and two cell blocks 15. The cell slice 14 has a central hole 141 in its center. The central hole 141 can be a circular hole, a rectangular hole, or other shapes.

[0042] A through hole 151 is provided in the middle of the cell block 15. One end of the cell block 15 along the extension direction of the through hole 151 is designated as the first end, and the other end is designated as the second end. The opening size of the first end is smaller than the opening size of the second end. The opening of the first end can be circular, rectangular, or other shapes; the opening of the second end can also be circular, rectangular, or other shapes.

[0043] The second ends of two cell blocks 15 are joined together. The first end of one cell block 15 is connected to the cell sheet 14, and the first end of the other cell block 15 is connected to the cell sheet 14 in the adjacent first cell group 11. The through hole 151 of the cell block 15 is connected to the central hole 141 of the cell sheet 14. Along the energy absorption direction, the through holes corresponding to each first cell group 11 are connected to the central hole, forming a cavity structure, providing deformation space for crushing energy absorption.

[0044] In one specific embodiment: the central hole 141 on the cell sheet 4 is a rectangular hole, specifically a square hole. The shape and size of the opening at the first end of the cell block 15 are the same as the central hole, so that the first end of the cell block 15 aligns with the central hole 141.

[0045] The second end opening of cell block 15 is rectangular, specifically square, and the second ends of two cell blocks 15 are joined together, specifically by side length to side length.

[0046] In this embodiment, cell block 15 is frustum-shaped, specifically quadrangular frustum-shaped. The upper base of the quadrangular frustum serves as the first end and is connected to cell sheet 14, while the lower base of the quadrangular frustum serves as the second end and is connected to another cell block 15.

[0047] Based on the above technical solution, this embodiment provides an implementation method for the second cell group 12:

[0048] like Figures 7 to 10 As shown, the second cell group 12 includes: one cell slice 14 and two cell blocks 15. The cell slice 14 has a central hole 141 at its center. The central hole 141 can be a circular hole, a rectangular hole, or other shapes.

[0049] A through hole 151 is provided in the middle of the cell block 15. One end of the cell block 15 along the extension direction of the through hole 151 is designated as the first end, and the other end is designated as the second end. The opening size of the first end is smaller than the opening size of the second end. The opening of the first end can be circular, rectangular, or other shapes; the opening of the second end can also be circular, rectangular, or other shapes.

[0050] Cell sheet 14 is connected between the first ends of two cell blocks 15, and the second end of cell block 15 is used to dock with the second end of cell block 15 in the adjacent second cell group 12. The through hole 151 of cell block 15 is connected to the central hole 141 of cell sheet 14. Along the energy absorption direction, the through holes corresponding to each second cell group 12 are connected to the central hole, forming a cavity structure, providing deformation space for crushing energy absorption.

[0051] In one specific embodiment: the central hole 141 on the cell sheet 4 is a rectangular hole, specifically a square hole. The shape and size of the opening at the first end of the cell block 15 are the same as the central hole, so that the first end of the cell block 15 aligns with the central hole 141.

[0052] The second end opening of cell block 15 is rectangular, specifically square, and the second ends of two cell blocks 15 are joined together, specifically by side length to side length.

[0053] In this embodiment, cell block 15 is frustum-shaped, specifically quadrangular frustum-shaped. The upper base of the quadrangular frustum serves as the first end and is connected to cell sheet 14, while the lower base of the quadrangular frustum serves as the second end and is connected to another cell block 15.

[0054] Based on the above scheme, the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12 are staggered vertically, and the interlayer 16 formed between the cell block 15 and the cell sheet 14 provides space for the deformation of the cell block 15, reducing the lateral or vertical displacement of the cell group.

[0055] The aforementioned cell block 15 is a thin-walled structure with a thickness ranging from 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm. In this embodiment, the thickness of cell block 15 is set to 1 mm, which provides both sufficient strength and significant energy absorption during collisions. The cell sheets 14 and cell blocks 15 in the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12 can be made of aluminum alloy or other metal materials, and can be formed using 3D printing technology. They possess both sufficient strength and good deformability.

[0056] Based on the above technical solution, the cross-section of the guide hole 13 is set to an I-shape, and the cross-section of the guide rod 4 is also I-shaped, correspondingly inserted into the guide hole 13. Each first cell group 11 and second cell group 12 surrounds the periphery of the guide rod 4. The guide rod 4 can be made of metal material, possessing high strength and rigidity. During the impact process, the guide rod 4 slides backward along the longitudinal direction, thereby constraining the lateral and vertical displacement of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure, ensuring that the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure crushes axially under impact load, and simultaneously improving the instability resistance of the multi-cell metamaterial energy-absorbing structure and enhancing its anti-climbing performance.

[0057] The guide rod 4 can also be welded to the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1. One end of the guide rod 4 is connected to the anti-climb device 2 by bolts, and the other end is connected to the mounting base 3 by bolts.

[0058] In this embodiment, the height h of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 can be 520 mm, the length L can be 280 mm, and the width D can be 240 mm. The width D1 of the first cell group 11 is 20 mm, and the width of the second cell group 12 is 20 mm.

[0059] Based on the above technical solution, a covering layer 17 is also adopted, which surrounds the outer periphery of the side of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure. Specifically, it surrounds the outer periphery of the side of the cuboid structure composed of the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12, and is assembled as a whole with the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12. On the other hand, it can protect the first cell group 11 and the second cell group 12 from the ingress of external dust, debris, moisture, etc. The covering layer 17 can also be made of aluminum alloy material to form a thin wall.

[0060] Furthermore, the end of the covering layer 17 near the anti-climb device 2 is recessed inward to form an induction groove 171. The induction groove 171 is located on the side of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 and extends circumferentially. It can guide deformation during the collision, so that the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 can crush and deform longitudinally to absorb energy. When the anti-climb device 2 is impacted, the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 crushes and deforms layer by layer from the end near the anti-climb device 2 under the action of the induction groove 171, and the guide rod 4 can significantly improve the anti-instability performance of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure. The compression ratio of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure of the above scheme can reach more than 70%, and it has a good energy absorption effect.

[0061] The induction groove 171 is arranged along the circumference of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure and is distributed on the four sides of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure to guide the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 in all directions.

[0062] Furthermore, the bottom wall and side walls of the induction groove 171 are flat, and the angle between the side walls and the bottom wall is obtuse, which can avoid stress concentration.

[0063] In the above scheme, the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure 1 adopts a porous periodic structure, which makes the deformation stable and controllable, with high energy absorption efficiency and long effective stroke. It is made of aluminum alloy, which is lightweight, has good energy absorption capacity, strong resistance to instability, and stable crushing force without obvious peak value.

[0064] Compared to conventional energy-absorbing structures, the aforementioned metamaterial energy-absorbing structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, utilizing metal 3D printing. This type of structure exhibits better lightweighting, impact resistance, and energy absorption capacity. In terms of dynamic response, it displays a lower initial peak force and a smooth energy absorption curve. Furthermore, through interlayer design of geometric parameters and different topological arrangements, the energy absorption effect is significantly improved. This structure boasts advantages in thinness and small volume, minimizing physical size while maintaining high energy absorption performance, which is particularly important for applications requiring compact designs.

[0065] Based on the above technical solutions, this embodiment also provides a rail vehicle, including: the metamaterial energy-absorbing device based on a periodic structure provided in any of the above-described embodiments. The rail vehicle provided in this embodiment has the same technical effects as the metamaterial energy-absorbing device based on a periodic structure described above.

[0066] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0067] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0068] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0069] Although preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0070] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A metamaterial energy absorption device based on a periodic structure, characterized in that, include: The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure includes multiple first cell groups and multiple second cell groups. The first cell groups and second cell groups are arranged alternately in an array and periodically arranged in a multi-layer structure along the energy absorption direction. The metamaterial energy-absorbing structure has guide holes inside, which extend along the energy absorption direction and penetrate through both ends of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure. An anti-climb device is installed at one end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure; The mounting bracket, located at the other end of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure, is used to connect to the vehicle body; A guide rod is inserted into the guide hole; one end of the guide rod is connected to the anti-climb device, and the other end is connected to the mounting base. In a single-layer structure, the first and second cell groups of each row are arranged alternately, and the first and second cell groups of each column are also arranged alternately. The first cell group includes: one cell sheet and two cell blocks; the cell sheet has a central hole in its middle; the cell block has a through hole in its middle; one end of the cell block along the through hole is designated as the first end, and the other end as the second end; the opening size of the first end is smaller than the opening size of the second end; the second ends of the two cell blocks are joined together, the first end of one cell block is connected to the cell sheet, and the first end of the other cell block is connected to the cell sheet in the adjacent first cell group; the through hole of the cell block is connected to the central hole of the cell sheet. The second cell group includes: one cell sheet and two cell blocks; the cell sheet has a central hole in its middle; the cell block has a through hole in its middle; one end of the cell block along the through hole is designated as the first end, and the other end as the second end; the opening size of the first end is smaller than the opening size of the second end; the cell sheet is connected between the first ends of the two cell blocks; the second end of the cell block is used to mate with the second end of the cell block in the adjacent second cell group; the through hole of the cell block is connected to the central hole of the cell sheet.

2. The metamaterial energy absorption device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each first cell group is arranged periodically along the energy absorption direction, and each second cell group is arranged periodically along the energy absorption direction.

3. The metamaterial energy absorption device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The central pore of the cell sheet is rectangular; The first end of the cell block has a rectangular opening, and the second end also has a rectangular opening.

4. The metamaterial energy-absorbing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Cellular units are thin-walled structures arranged in a frustum shape.

5. The metamaterial energy absorption device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The thickness of the cell block is 0.8mm-1.3mm.

6. The metamaterial energy-absorbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the guide hole is I-shaped, and the cross-section of the guide rod is also I-shaped; each of the first cell group and the second cell group surrounds the guide rod.

7. The metamaterial energy-absorbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second cell units are made of aluminum alloy.

8. The metamaterial energy-absorbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The coating layer is placed around the outer periphery of the side of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure; the end of the coating layer near the anti-climb device is recessed inward to form an induction groove.

9. The metamaterial energy absorption device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The induction grooves are arranged along the circumference of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure and are distributed on the four sides of the metamaterial energy-absorbing structure.

10. The metamaterial energy-absorbing device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sidewall and bottom wall of the induction groove form an obtuse angle.

11. A rail vehicle, characterized in that, include: The metamaterial energy absorption device based on a periodic structure as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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