Box profile for the vehicle restraint system and method for producing said box profile

Abstract

The invention relates to a box profile 1 for a vehicle restraint system, a vehicle restraint system comprising such a box profile 1, and a method for producing a box profile 1. A box profile 1 has a box body 3 with a U-shaped cross-section and a tapered end section 5. The taper of the end section 5 is created by a bead 12 that reduces the cross-section of the end section 5. The end section 5 is tapered and reduced in cross-section by the molding and formation of the bead 12 such that the tapered end section 5 can be received in a form-fitting manner in a non-tapered end section 6 of another box profile 1. Several box profiles 1 are joined together in a vehicle restraint system in sections.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a box profile for a vehicle restraint system as well as a vehicle restraint system with such a box profile and a method for producing a box profile.

[0002] A vehicle restraint system is a passive safety device installed on roads or traffic routes. The system is designed to stop a vehicle from leaving the roadway and protect its occupants and other road users from the vehicle.

[0003] Vehicle restraint systems or passive safety devices must meet the requirements of DIN EN 1317 "Roadside Restraint Systems." The systems are divided into performance classes. The three main criteria of DIN EN 1317 are: containment level, effective range, and impact severity. The containment level indicates the containment capacity and suitability of the respective vehicle restraint system to deflect an impacting vehicle. The effective range determines the required clearance behind the safety device, which ensures that the system functions properly in the event of an impact. The effective range is the distance between the front, i.e., the side facing the traffic, of a non-deformed safety device and the rearmost part of a deformed safety device after an impact.The impact severity level (ASI value = Acceleration Severity Index) classifies the risk of injury to vehicle occupants when they collide with a vehicle restraint system.

[0004] Box profiles and box profile strands made from box profiles that are detachably connected to one another in sections are used particularly in vehicle restraint systems that must ensure high containment levels.

[0005] The state of the art, as described in WO 03 / 104568 A1, includes a vehicle restraint system with a guide barrier composed of box sections. Each box section has a tapered (offset) end section that is inserted and secured into a non-tapered end section of another box section.

[0006] EP 2 047 924 B1 discloses a method for producing a guide barrier in the form of a box profile with a rectangular cross-section. The box profile described therein also has a first end section that is tapered (offset) and a second end section that is not tapered. The box profiles can be assembled into a line by connecting a tapered end section of a box profile to a non-tapered end section of an adjacent box profile. However, the disclosed method for producing the box profiles is relatively complex.

[0007] The box sections have a rectangular or U-shaped cross-section with a tapered end section and a non-tapered end section. The box sections have generally proven themselves suitable for use in vehicle restraint systems, but appear to be in need of improvement, particularly in terms of manufacturing technology.

[0008] Based on the prior art, the invention is based on the object of creating a box profile for a vehicle restraint system that is rational and has improved manufacturing technology and of demonstrating a rational method for producing such a box profile.

[0009] The solution to the objective part of the problem consists in a box profile according to claim 1 and in a vehicle restraint system according to claim 13.

[0010] The procedural part of the problem is solved by a method according to claim 18.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the box profile according to the invention, of a vehicle restraint system with such a box profile and of the method for producing a box profile are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] A box profile according to the invention has a box body with a U-shaped cross-section and a tapered end section. In technical terminology, the tapered end section is also referred to as a bent end section. The tapering of the end section is created by a bead that reduces the cross-section. By forming the bead into the end section, the end section is tapered and reduced in cross-section such that the tapered end section can be positively received in a non-tapered end section of another box profile of the same design.

[0013] Each box profile has a tapered end section and a non-tapered end section, wherein the end sections are configured and intended such that a tapered end section of a first box profile can be received in a non-tapered end section of a second box profile. A connecting region is formed in which the end sections overlap. The tapered end section of the first box profile is received in the non-tapered end section of the second box profile. In a vehicle restraint system, the two box profiles are connected by connecting means which pass through mounting openings in the end sections.

[0014] The tapered end section fits snugly into a non-tapered end section of another box profile.

[0015] The box body of a box section has a main section, which is followed by a tapered end section. The main section transitions into the end section via a transition section. In the main section, the box body has a U-shaped cross-section. The main section is followed by the end section with a tapered cross-section. At the opposite end, the box body has a non-tapered end section.

[0016] The tapered end section has a cross-sectional area with the same cross-sectional contour as the main section. The cross-sectional contours are U-shaped, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the tapered end section being smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the non-tapered end section. The cross-sectional area of ​​the non-tapered end section corresponds to the cross-sectional area of ​​the box profile in the main section. A non-tapered end section is designed and intended to accommodate a tapered end section of another box profile. The tapered end section has a cross-sectional area transverse to the longitudinal axis of the box profile or box body with the same cross-sectional contour as a non-tapered end section, but with a smaller cross-sectional area than the non-tapered end section.The tapered end section of a box profile is designed in such a way that it fits positively into the non-tapered end section of another box profile and can be fixed there by means of connecting means.

[0017] A box body has a web and a leg on each side. This cross-sectional design extends over the entire length of the box body, i.e., over the main section and the two end sections. The cross-section-reducing bead is located in the tapered end section, preferably in the web of the end section.

[0018] Furthermore, the box body has an opening opposite the web, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the box body over the entire length of the box body.

[0019] A particularly advantageous embodiment in practice provides for the legs of the box profile in the main section to have inward-facing flanks at their ends. The flanks adjoin the ends of the legs in the main section and are directed inward toward each other.

[0020] The cross-sectional tapered bead extends in the longitudinal direction of the tapered end section.

[0021] A particularly advantageous embodiment provides for the bead to extend to the end face of the end section. The bead thus tapers off at the end face.

[0022] The deeper or flatter the bead is formed, the smaller or larger the change in the dimensions of the box body in the tapered end section.

[0023] The cross-section-reducing bead preferably has a channel section and a molded-in section. The channel section has a U- or V-shaped contour in cross-section.

[0024] The transitions of the bead into the outer surface of the web are rounded.

[0025] In particular, the forming section runs along the longitudinal axis of the bead and widens into the web laterally along the longitudinal axis.

[0026] The forming section of the bead runs in the middle of the web in the area of ​​the transition section.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, mounting openings are provided in the web of the end section along the longitudinal side adjacent to the bead. Preferably, one mounting opening is provided to the left and right of each bead.

[0028] A box profile according to the invention, or its box body, has a non-tapered end section at its other end. The cross-sectional contour of the non-tapered end section corresponds to the cross-sectional contour of the box body in the main section. Mounting openings are provided in the end sections. The mounting openings of a non-tapered end section and the mounting openings in a tapered end section communicate when the end sections overlap, so that connecting means, in particular screw bolts, can be guided through the mounting opening and a connection can be established between the end sections.

[0029] A further advantageous design in practice provides for the box body to be reinforced with reinforcing elements. Reinforcing elements are implemented, in particular, as reinforcement plates, which are inserted transversely between the side legs in the area of ​​the opening of a box profile. Several reinforcement elements are provided in the longitudinal direction of the box body, spaced apart from one another.

[0030] A vehicle restraint system according to the invention comprises at least two box profiles. These are joined together in a section-by-section manner. Such a vehicle restraint system is advantageous in terms of component technology and is capable of meeting the requirements of high performance classes. The assembly of the box profiles and the assembly of the vehicle restraint system are rational and efficient.

[0031] Each box section has a tapered end section and a non-tapered end section. A tapered section of a first box section is received in a non-tapered end section of a second box section, forming a connecting region in which the end sections overlap and are connected by connecting means.

[0032] A tapered end section and a non-tapered end section can be slid into one another. Joining two box sections is then essentially done by sliding the end sections into or over one another, essentially in the axial direction of the box bodies.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the end sections are configured such that a non-tapered end section can be placed vertically onto a tapered end section. For this purpose, the non-tapered end section has a U-shaped cross-section and no flanks. Consequently, the non-tapered end section does not have the flanks found in the main section. To produce this configuration, lateral edge sections are removed from the sheet steel blank used to manufacture a box profile, as is also the case with a tapered end section. Both end sections of the sheet steel blank have notches in which the lateral edge regions of the blank are removed.

[0034] Within a vehicle restraint system, the box sections are preferably arranged on vertical posts. Guard rails, particularly a guard rail line consisting of guard rails, are mounted at a distance in front of the box sections and at a height level below the box sections.

[0035] A method according to the invention for producing a box profile comprises the following steps: Providing a rectangular steel sheet blank having a main section and a first end section and a second end section, wherein the main section has a width and at least the first end section has a width that is smaller than the width in the main section; transferring the steel sheet blank into a forming device and forming the steel sheet blank into a box body with a U-shaped cross section and having a main section and a first end section and a second end section; placing the first end section of the box body in a press and positioning the end section between a die and a punch; clamping the end section in the press and displacing the punch and the die relative to one another while forming a bead in the end section, such that the cross section in the end section is reduced compared to the cross section in the main section and the end section is tapered.

[0036] The production of box sections is efficient and cost-effective. The resulting box sections are of high quality. The assembly of box sections and their overlapping connection is advantageous both from a component and assembly point of view.

[0037] To produce a box profile according to the invention, a box body is first manufactured from a sheet steel blank. A custom-made sheet steel blank is provided for this purpose. This sheet steel blank corresponds to the unfolded shape of the box body. Lateral longitudinal edge sections are removed from the two end sections of the essentially rectangular sheet steel blank. This is done using shearing or punching techniques.

[0038] The steel sheet blank is essentially rectangular in configuration. The steel sheet blank has a main section, a first end section, and a second end section. By removing lateral longitudinal edge sections, the end sections are reduced in width compared to the main section. The longitudinal edge sections remaining in the main section later form the beveled flanges, which connect to the ends of the legs of the box section.

[0039] The flat sheet steel plate is provided with a hole pattern. The holes in the sheet steel plate form through holes in the finished box profile.

[0040] When cutting the steel sheet before forming it into a box body, mounting holes are created in the steel sheet. The necessary hole pattern is created in coordination with the finished box profile and the necessary connection points. The procedure and the creation of the mounting holes on the still flat steel sheet are particularly efficient and streamlined.

[0041] The box body is manufactured in a forming device, specifically a bending device. Here, the steel sheet blank is folded along longitudinal edges running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steel sheet blank to form a U-shaped box body with a cross-section.

[0042] When manufacturing the box body of a box profile from a sheet steel plate, flanks are bent at the ends of the legs of the box body in the main section in such a way that the edges on the finished box body are directed inwards and point towards each other.

[0043] A box body can also be formed using a profiling process using a profiling machine. In this process, the steel sheet blank is formed into the U-shaped cross-section of the box body.

[0044] Roll profiling, also known as roll forming, is particularly advantageous in this case.

[0045] Roll forming can be carried out on prefabricated sheet steel blanks or on a sheet steel strip.

[0046] Through roll forming, a steel sheet strip can be shaped into a U-shaped cross-sectional contour. This creates a long product of relatively long length. The long product has a box shape with the web and the legs, including the inward-facing flanks. Box bodies are cut from the long product. The necessary notches are created in the area of ​​the end sections by removing the flanks in the area of ​​the end sections of a box profile according to the invention or its box body.

[0047] Box bodies can also be manufactured using slide-draw bending. In this process, a prefabricated sheet steel blank or strip is drawn through several dies until it achieves the desired box shape with a U-shaped cross-section.

[0048] The box body is then inserted into a press with one end section. The end section is held between an upper tool and a lower tool of the press. The upper tool is a punch, the lower tool a die. The die has a groove-shaped mold cavity extending in the longitudinal direction of a received end section. The punch has a sword-shaped mold rib. The mold rib has a cutout complementary to the groove-shaped mold cavity and a section complementary to the forming section of the bead.

[0049] Using a press, a cross-section-reducing bead is formed into the first section. The bead runs longitudinally along the box profile. Specifically, the bead is formed into the web of the end section and extends between two previously created through holes.

[0050] When the bead is inserted, the first end section is tapered in cross-section. This involves retracting the end section. The width in the web of the end section, as well as the width between the legs of the end section, decreases compared to the width in the main section of the box body. The cross-section of the box body in the main section transitions seamlessly into the cross-section of the tapered end section via a transition section.

[0051] The lateral sections of the web in the transition section converge toward the end face of the tapered end section. The webs in the end section are spaced closer to each other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the box profile than in the main section. The height of the box body in the end section is less than the height of the box body in the main section.

[0052] In the tapered end section, the cross-section is reduced by at least the material thickness or wall thickness of the web and the legs. The outer contour of a tapered end section fits snugly into the inner contour of a non-tapered end section.

[0053] Furthermore, the box body is advantageously provided with stiffening elements. These stiffening elements act particularly in the transverse direction of the box profile and preferably extend transversely between the ends of the legs of the box body.

[0054] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Figure 1a) to e) a production sequence for the manufacture of a box body for a box profile according to the invention in five stages; Figure 2a) to e) the production sequence according to the Figure 1in perspective view; Figures 3a) to c) show a production sequence in the manufacture of a box body with cross-sectional views of three different production stages; Figures 4a) to c) show a press, comprising a die (lower tool) and a punch (upper tool) and an end section of a box body received in the press, with the representation of three different production stages; Figures 5a) to c) show a die (lower tool) in a perspective, a top view and an end view; Figures 6a) to c) show a punch (upper tool) in a perspective, a top view and a side view; Figure 7 shows a box profile according to the invention in a perspective view; Figure 8 shows the box profile in a bottom view; Figure 9 shows the box profile in a side view; Figure 10 shows an end view of the tapered end section of the box profile; Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of section A of the Figure 10; Figure 12 shows a section of two box profiles coupled together in a perspective view, and Figure 13 also shows a perspective view of a vehicle restraint system according to the invention.

[0055] In the Figures 1 to 13 The same reference symbols are used for identical or functionally equivalent components or components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

[0056] The Figure 7 shows a box profile 1 according to the invention for a vehicle restraint system in a perspective view obliquely from below. A vehicle restraint system with a box profile strand 2 formed from box profiles 1 joined together in sections shows the representation of the Figure 13 .

[0057] The Figure 8 shows a view of the box profile 1 from below.

[0058] In the Figure 9the box profile 1 is shown in a side view.

[0059] The Figure 10 shows a front view of the box profile 1. The Figure 11 illustrates section A from the Figure 10 in enlarged view.

[0060] The box profile 1 has a box body 3 with a U-shaped cross-section. The box body 3 has a main section 4 and, at its ends, a first end section 5 and a second end section 6. The first end section 5 is tapered and has a cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section in the main section 4. The second end section 6, located at the opposite end of the box body 3 from the tapered first end section 5, has an unchanged cross-section.

[0061] The main section 2 merges into the tapered end section 5 via a transition section 7.

[0062] In cross-section, the box body 3 has a web 8 and two lateral legs 9. The web 8 and leg 9 extend over the entire length L of the box body 3.

[0063] On the side opposite the web 8, the box body 3 has an opening 10 extending in the longitudinal direction LR of the box body 3. The opening 10 extends over the entire length L of the box body 3.

[0064] In the main section 4, the legs 9 of the box body 3 have inwardly directed flanks 11 at their ends. The flanks 11 extend over the length of the main section 4. The flanks 11 each adjoin the ends of a leg 9. The two flanks 11 are directed toward each other.

[0065] A cross-section-reducing bead 12 is formed in the tapered end section 5. The bead 12 causes the cross-section reduction in the tapered end section 5. The first tapered end section 5 is tapered and reduced in cross-section by the formation of the bead 12 such that the tapered first end section 5 fits into a non-tapered end section 6 of another box profile 1.

[0066] The bead 12 is arranged in the web 8 of the end section 5 and extends over the length L1 of the end section 5 including the transition area 7 up to the end face 13 of the end section 5. The bead 12 runs open at the end face 13 of the end section 5.

[0067] In the tapered end section 5, the web 8 is recessed. The web 8 has a first width B1 in the main section 4. In the tapered end section 5, the web 8 has a second width B2. The width B2 of the web 8 in the tapered end section 5 is smaller than the width B1 of the web 8 in the main section 4.

[0068] The bead 12 has a channel section 14 and a molded section 15. The channel section 14 has a U- or V-shaped cross-section. The molded section 15 extends into the transition section 7 of the box body 3. The molded section 15 extends along the longitudinal axis LA of the bead 12 into the outer surface 16 of the web 8. Furthermore, the molded section 15 widens laterally along the longitudinal axis LA and merges into the web 8. The transitions 17 of the bead 12 into the web 8 are curved or rounded in an arcuate manner (see Figure 11 ).

[0069] On the longitudinal side adjacent to the bead 12, a mounting opening 18 is provided in the web 8 of the end section 5.

[0070] Two box profiles 1 coupled together are in the Figure 12 shown.

[0071] The tapered end section 5 of a first box profile 1 is received in a non-tapered end section 6 of a second box profile 1. Both the tapered end section 5 and the non-tapered end section 6 have no flanks at the end of their legs 9. The non-tapered end section 6 of the second box profile 1 can be placed vertically onto the tapered end section 5 of the first box profile 1. This is achieved by means of a vertical movement of the non-tapered end section 6, whereby the end section 6 is placed onto the tapered end section 5.

[0072] A detachable connection between the two box profiles 1 is established via connecting means 19, which are guided and clamped through communicating mounting openings 18 in the end sections 5, 6.

[0073] As in particular the Figures 7 and 8 As shown, the box body 3 of a box profile 1 is stiffened by stiffening elements 20. The stiffening elements 20 are formed by sheet metal struts which extend transversely between the legs 9 in the region of the opening 10 below the flanks 11.

[0074] The flanks 11 each have a bevel 21 at their ends, which each terminates in a leg 9. At the tapered first end section 5, the flanks 11 extend to the end of the transition section 7. The bevel 21 forms an angle α with the longitudinal axis LA of the box profile 1 and the longitudinal edge 22 of a flank 11 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the box profile 1.

[0075] Based on the Figures 1 , 2 and 3 the production of a box body 3 for a box profile 1 according to the invention is explained.

[0076] To manufacture the box body 3, a tailor-made steel sheet blank 23 is provided. The steel sheet blank 23 has a main section 4' as well as a first end section 5' and a second end section 6'. The main section 4' transitions into the first end section 5' and the second end section 6' via a transition section 7'. Longitudinal edge sections are removed in both the first end section 5' and the second end section 6', so that the first end section 5' and the second end section 6' have notches 24 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis on both sides. The first end section 5' and the second end section 6' are thus tapered in width compared to the main section 4'. The main section 4' has a width B1 and the two end sections 5, 6 have a width B2, wherein the width B2 in the end sections 5, 6 is smaller than the width B1 in the main section 4.

[0077] The sheet steel plate 23 is provided with holes 18'. The hole pattern is adapted for the subsequent use of the box body 3 made from the sheet steel plate 23 in a vehicle restraint system. In particular, the holes 18' create mounting openings 18 in a box profile 1.

[0078] The steel sheet blank 23 is introduced into a forming device 25 (cf. Figure 3 ). In the forming device 25, the steel sheet blank 23 is folded into a box body 3 with a U-shaped cross section.

[0079] The Figure 1b ) and the Figure 2b ) show a first bend based on a flank section 11' extending over the main section 4 of the sheet steel plate 23. This is bent upwards to form a flank 11 from the plane of the sheet steel plate 23.

[0080] The Figures 1c ) and 2c) show the steel sheet plate 23 with flanks 11 bevelled on both sides along the longitudinal flank areas. Subsequently, the legs 9 are bevelled. This can be seen from the Figures 1d) and 1e ) as well as 2d) and 2e).

[0081] Also the Figure 3a ) to c) shows the production of a box body 3, in which an initially flat sheet steel plate 23 is bent in bending steps to form a box body 3 with a U-shaped cross section.

[0082] The box body 3 has a web 8 and a leg 9 on each side. In the main section 4, the flanks 11 extending over the length of the main section 4 are beveled and are directed towards each other in the box body 3.

[0083] After the bending process, the box body 3 initially has a consistent U-shaped cross-section extending over the entire length L. Subsequently, the first end section 5 is tapered and its cross-section reduced. For this purpose, the box body 3 with the end section 5 is inserted into a press 26.

[0084] The Figure 4 shows the ironing process of the first end section 5 in three production stages. The press 26 has a die 27 (lower tool) and a punch 28 (upper tool). A mold cavity 29 is provided in the die 27, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the die 27. An insert with a sword-shaped mold rib 30 configured complementary to the mold cavity 29 is provided in the punch 28 or upper tool.

[0085] The end section 5 of the box profile 3 is positioned between the die 27 and the punch 28 ( Figure 4a)). The press 26 is then closed. The punch 28 is moved toward the die 27, and the end section 5 is clamped in the press 26, and the cross-section-reducing bead 12 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the web 8. The bead 12 is formed by the deformation of the web 8 in the end section 5, wherein the wall of the web 8 in the region of the bead 12 is pressed into the mold cavity 29 by the forming rib 30 and formed. This reduces the cross-section of the end section 5.

[0086] After opening the press 26 ( Figure 4c )) the box profile 1 with the end section 5 tapered at one end can be removed from the tool.

[0087] A die 27 with the mold cavity 29 is in the Figure 5a ) to c). The Figure 6a) to c) shows a punch 28 with the forming rib 30. It can be seen that both the die 27 and the punch 28 are constructed in several parts from a base body with insert parts accommodated in the base body.

[0088] The box profile 1 has a box body 3 with a first end section 5, which is tapered, and a second end section 6, which is not tapered. The end sections 5, 6 are designed and intended to be connected to a tapered or non-tapered end section 5, 6 of another box profile 1. The end sections 5, 6 overlap in a connection area 31 (see Figure 12 ). For connection, a box profile 1 with its non-tapered end section 6 is placed onto the tapered end section 5 of another box profile 1 by means of a vertical movement.

[0089] The tapered end section 5 is reduced in cross-section by the molded-in bead 12 such that the tapered end section 5 can be positively received in a non-tapered end section 6 of an identically constructed box profile 1 in order to form a box profile strand 2 from box profiles 1.

[0090] The Figure 13 shows a vehicle restraint system with a box profile strand 2 formed from box profiles 1.

[0091] In the connecting area 31, the overlapping end sections 5, 6 are connected by connecting means 19. The box sections 1 are arranged on vertical posts 32 and secured there by suitable mounting and holding means. Guardrails 33 are mounted on the roadway side at a distance in front of the box sections 1 and at a height level below the box sections 1. These guardrails, connected in sections, also form a guardrail line 34. Reference symbol:

[0092] 1 - box profile 2 - box profile strand 3 - box body 4 - main section 4' - main section 5 - first end section 5' - first end section 6 - second end section 6' - second end section 7 - transition section 7' ​​- transition section 8 - web 9 - leg 10 - opening 11 - flank 11' - flank section 12 - bead 13 - front side v. 5 14 -Channel section 15 -Forming section 16 -Outer surface 17 -Transitions 18 -Assembly opening 18' -Hole 19 -Connecting element 20 -Stiffening element 21 -Bevel 22 -Longitudinal edge 23 -Steel sheet plate 24 -Clamping points 25 -Forming device 26 -Press 27 -Die 28 -Punch 29 -Forming cavity 30 -Forming rib 31 -Connecting area 32 -Vertical post 33 -Guardrails 34 -Guardrail line B -Width B1 -Width to 4 B2 -Width to 5 L -Length to 3 L1 -Length of 5 LA -Length of 12 LR -Longitudinal direction α -Angle

Claims

1. Box profile (1) for a vehicle restraint system, which has a box body (3) with a U-shaped cross section and a tapered end section (5), characterized in that the end section (5) has a cross-section reducing bead (12).

2. Box profile (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the box body (3) has a main section (4) to which the end section (5) is connected, wherein the main section (4) merges into the tapered end section (5) via a transition section (7).

3. Box profile (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the box body (3) has a web (8) and two legs (9), wherein the bead (12) is arranged in the web (8) of the end section (5).

4. Box profile (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bead (12) extends in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the end section (5).

5. Box profile according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe bead (12) extends to the front side (13) of the end section (5).

6. Box profile (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the box body (3) has an opening (10) extending in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the box body (3) opposite the web (8).

7. Box profile (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the legs (9) of the box body (3) in the main section (4) have inwardly directed flanks (11) at the ends.

8. Box profile (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bead (12) has a channel section (14) and a molded section (15), wherein the channel section (14) has a U- or V-shaped cross-section.

9. Box profile (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the molded section (15) extends in the longitudinal axis (L) of the bead (12) and widens laterally to the longitudinal axis (L) into the web (8).

10. Box profile (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that mounting openings (18) are provided in the web (8) of the end section (5) along the longitudinal side adjacent to the bead (12).

11. Box profile (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the box body (3) has a non-tapered end section (6) at its end () opposite the tapered end section (5).

12. Box profile according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the box body (5) has reinforcing elements ().

13. Vehicle restraint system comprising at least two box profiles (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Vehicle restraint system according to claim 13, characterized in thateach box profile (1) has a tapered end section (5) and a non-tapered end section (6), wherein a tapered end section (51) of a first box profile (1) is received in a non-tapered end section (6) of a second box profile (1), wherein a connecting region (30) is formed in which the end sections (5, 6) overlap and are connected by connecting means (19).

15. Vehicle restraint system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a tapered end section (5) and a non-tapered end section (6) can be pushed into one another.

16. Vehicle restraint system according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that a non-tapered end section (6) can be placed vertically on a tapered end section (5).

17. Vehicle restraint system according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in thatthe box profiles (1) are arranged on vertical posts (31) and guard rails (32) are mounted at a distance in front of the box profiles (1) and at the height level below the box profiles (1).

18. Method for producing a box profile (1) characterized bythe following steps: - providing a rectangular steel sheet blank (23) which has a main section (4') and a first end section (5') and a second end section (6'), wherein the main section (4') has a width (B1) and at least the first end section (5') has a width (B2) which is smaller than the width (B1) in the main section (4'); - transferring the steel sheet blank (23) into a forming device and forming the steel sheet blank (23) into a box body (3) which is U-shaped in cross section and has a main section (4) and a first end section (5) and a second end section (6); - placing the first end section (5) of the box body (3) in a press (26) and positioning the end section between a die (27) and a punch (28);- clamping the end section (5) in the press (26) and displacing the punch (28) and the die (27) relative to one another while forming a bead (12) in the end section (5) in such a way that the cross section in the end section (5) is reduced compared to the cross section in the main section (4) and the end section (6) is tapered; 19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that inwardly directed flanks (11) are bent at the end of the legs (9) of the box body (3) in the main section (4) of the box body (3).

20. Method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that When cutting the steel sheet plate (23) before forming the steel sheet plate (23) into a box body (3), assembly openings (18) are made in the steel sheet plate (23).

21. Method according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the box body (3) is provided with stiffening elements (20).

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