Light weight support structure and a collision object comprising such light weight support structure

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to a light weight support structure (1) adapted to form a high speed collision object (2) for use when simulating a high speed collision event. The support structure (1) is assembled from a plurality of panels (13) attached to each other. The front (5) of the support structure (1) is arranged to hit a test vehicle (3) during a simulated high speed collision event, and the support structure (1) is arranged to collapse by the plurality of panels (13) being arranged to collapse sequentially from the support structure (1) when the support structure (1) and the test vehicle (3) hit each other in a high speed collision event. Thereby the impact force affecting the test vehicle (3) will be reduced during the collision event.

Description

[0001] LIGHT WEIGHT SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND A COLLISION OBJECT COMPRISING SUCH LIGHT WEIGHT SUPPORT STRUCTURE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to deformable collision objects. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a light weigh support structure adapted to form a collision object, where the support structure comprises a plurality of panels and a collision object comprising such support structure, are provided.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] As Advanced Crash Avoidance Technologies (ACATs) such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Crash Imminent Braking Systems and other advanced technologies continue to be developed, the need for full-scale test methodologies that can minimize hazards to test personnel and damage to equipment has rapidly increased.

[0006] Evaluating such ACAT systems presents many challenges. For example, the evaluation system should be able to deliver a potential collision object reliably and precisely along a trajectory that would ultimately result in a crash in a variety of configurations, such as rear-ends, head-ons, crossing paths and sideswipes.

[0007] Additionally, the collision object should not pose a substantial physical risk to the test driver, other test personnel, equipment, or to subject vehicles in the event that the collision is not avoided. This challenge has been difficult to address.

[0008] The collision object should also appear to the subject vehicle as the actual or "real" object being simulated, such as a motor vehicle, a pedestrian, or other object. For example, the collision object should provide a consistent signature for radar and other sensors to the various subject vehicles, substantially identical to that of the item being simulated.

[0009] Some prior art collision objects are relatively heavy, for example made from some type of foam. Although such collision objects may be used safely in collision tests the risk for damages to a test vehicle is increased when the speed of a collision test increases. Light support structures for a collision object that enables the collision object to be hit by a subject vehicle at higher speeds with at least reduced damages to the subject vehicle have been provided. A higher speed in this regard may be a relative speed between the subject vehicle and the collision object of approximately 110 and up to or abovel 80 km / h, e.g. when each of the subject vehicle and the collision object respectively travels at more than 55 km / h.

[0010] However, although light weight support structures enable high speed collision tests, a problem is that the initial collision impact on the test vehicle is still very high with risk of damages. Another problem with support structures for a collision object is to maintain its shape at high speed, e.g. that it does not flutter at higher speeds. A support structure for high speed should thus enable the collision object to resemble a real collision object even when travelling at high speeds.

[0011] Further, due to the high delta speed between vehicles, frontal collisions causes fatal traffic accidents with severe injuries and / or deaths. To provide even more secure systems for cars and vehicles there is a need of enabling collision tests at such high speed as is present in a frontal collision.

[0012] RELATED ART

[0013] Examples of related art are found in the patent documents

[0014] EP 2988369 A1 (DYNAMIC RES INC);

[0015] US 20180010984 A1 (SILBERLING JORDAN ETAL);

[0016] US 20130017346 A1 (KELLY JOSEPH ET AL);

[0017] US 20210031680 A1 (AMAC KER MATTHEW);

[0018] US 20200217754 A1 (JANEVIK PETER ETAL);

[0019] CN 113147957 A (XIANGYANG DAAN AUTOMOBILE DETECTION CENTER CO

[0020] LTD ETAL)

[0021] SUMMARY

[0022] According to embodiments herein a light weight support structure adapted to form a high speed collision object for use when simulating a high speed collision event is provided. The support structure is assembled from a plurality of panels attached to each other. The front of the support structure is arranged to hit a test vehicle during a high speed collision testing event, and the support structure is arranged to collapse by the plurality of panels being arranged to collapse sequentially from the front of the support structure and backwards when the support structure and the test vehicle hit each other during a high speed collision event. Thereby the impact force affecting the vehicle will be reduced during the collision event.

[0023] In embodiments, at least parts of the plurality of panels may be provided with one or more cutouts, arranged to allow respective panel to collapse when affected by a predetermined force.

[0024] In embodiments, at least two of said plurality of panels are arranged to collapse sequentially from the front and backwards during a high speed collision event.

[0025] In embodiments, the one or more edge cutouts may be positioned on the surface of respective panel.

[0026] In embodiments, the one or more second cutouts may be positioned on a side of respective panel.

[0027] In embodiments, the at least parts of the plurality of panels may be provided with one or more weakened parts arranged to break, in order to enable the panel to collapse, when affected by a predetermined force.

[0028] In embodiments, at least parts of the plurality of panels may be provided with one or more strengthened parts arranged to allow the support structure to maintain its form and function prior to the high speed collision event.

[0029] In embodiments, the front of the support structure comprises more than three transversal panels arranged to collapse sequentially from the front and backwards when a test vehicle hits the support structure in a frontal collision.

[0030] In embodiments, the plurality of panels of the support structure comprises at least one longitudinal panel oriented substantially vertically and provided with deformation zones and / or cutouts, whereby the longitudinal panels will break sequentially in a collision.

[0031] In embodiments, the plurality of panels of the support structure may comprise two longitudinal panels a, b oriented substantially vertically.

[0032] In embodiments, the light weight support structure may further comprise two or more longitudinal panels. In embodiments, the plurality of panels may be made from cardboard.

[0033] In embodiments, the plurality of panels may be made from corrugated cardboard.

[0034] In embodiments, the support structure may be disposable.

[0035] In embodiments, the plurality of panels of the support structure may comprise a plurality of transversal panels.

[0036] In embodiments, at least some of the transversal panels may be arranged in pairs.

[0037] In embodiments, at least some of the panels comprises recesses, and the panels may be connected to each other by receiving some of the panels in the recesses.

[0038] According to another aspect, a high speed collision object for use when testing a test vehicle to simulate a high speed collision event is provided. The high speed collision object comprises a light weight support structure according to embodiments herein, a soft cover attached to the light weight support structure, and a movable platform for moving the high speed collision object. In embodiments the support structure is attached to the movable platform.

[0039] In embodiments, the high speed collision object may be configured to deform by sequential deformation of one or more of the plurality of panels of the support structure during a high speed collision event.

[0040] In embodiments, the high speed collision object may have a general appearance of a vehicle, such as a car.

[0041] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a support structure according to prior art.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a support structure in accordance with embodiments herein.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows one example of a longitudinal panel.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows one example of a transversal panel. Fig. 5 shows a collision object comprising a support structure in accordance with embodiments herein.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In the following, a support structure adapted to form a collision object, where the support structure comprises a plurality of panels and a collision object comprising such support structure, will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0049] Fig. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of one example of a known support structure in an assembled state. The support structure has the general shape and size of a car. The support structure in Fig. 1 comprises a plurality of panels 12a-12 i , and a plurality of fixing members 14a - 14h. Each of the plurality of panels 12a-12i is made from cardboard. The support structure further comprises three pairs of intermediate transversal panels 12e, 12f, 12g. The known support structure deforms essentially without damaging a test vehicle, in a collision where a collision object with the support structure attached thereto is stationary, and the test vehicle had a speed of 110 km / h. However, during a collision at high delta speed the support structure may still affect the test vehicle with a non-negligible force, and if the delta speed increases to real high delta speed the forces acting on the test vehicle may be too high to provide for an optimal collision test situation.

[0050] Turning to Fig. 2, a light weight support structure 1 adapted to form a high speed collision object 2 for use when simulating a high speed collision event will now be described. Throughout the present disclosure, a collision object may alternatively be referred to as a dummy object, soft body, soft target, collision target or collision partner. The collision object may be movable or stationary. The panels of support structure may be made of cardboard. Such cardboard may be adapted to be suitable for outdoor use, e.g. coated. The support structure according to the present disclosure is self-supporting, i.e. it is capable of carrying its own weight. The support structure 1 may adopt the shapes of various alternative objects for use when testing a test vehicle, such as a motorbike or other vehicle other than a car, a pedestrian, an animal etc. A coordinate system comprising three axes X, Y and Z is shown in Fig.2. The X- direction corresponds to a transversal direction of the support structure 1 , the Y- direction corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the support structure 1 , and the Z- direction corresponds to a vertical direction of the support structure 1 .

[0051] The support structure 1 is assembled from a plurality of panels 13 attached to each other. Longitudinal panels 13a and 13b are arranged substantially in the vertical Y-Z- plane. In embodiments wherein the support structure is shaped to mimic various objects, the longitudinal panels may be arranged with an inclination angle in relation to the vertical plane. The longitudinal panels 13b are in the exemplified embodiment formed as U-shaped beams arranged to accommodate and / or to fasten one or more of the longitudinal panels 13a. The panels 13b are further provided with fixtures arranged to be fastened to a platform 36 (not shown in Fig. 2). Further, the panels 13b are provided with deformation zones and / or edge cutouts 7. Such deformation zones may in embodiments for example be formed by structural arrangements in the cardboard panels, for example the mentioned cutouts or foldings, corrugation, perforation or by a section of thinner or compressed cardboard. As can be seen in the figure, the edge cutouts 7 are in the exemplified embodiment V-shaped notches in the edges of the panel or U-shaped beam formed panel. The deformation zones, in the illustrated example the notches, cause the panel 13b to be weakened so it will be easy to break. During a collision event, the V-shape of the notches will facilitate the panels 13b to be compressed from the front of the support structure and backwards, and the notches will also allow the panels 13b to break in the thin part below the V-shaped notches. The panels 13b will therefore collapse sequentially from the start of the collision event to the end. Thereby, the forces acting on a test vehicle during a collision event will be reduced. Transverse in relation to the longitudinal panels 13a, 13b are a plurality of transversal panels 13c arranged. Also the transversal panels 13c will contribute to that the support structure 1 as a whole will collapse sequentially from the front 5 and backwards during a collision event. When the support structure 1 is assembled, the plurality of panels 13 may support a cloth 38 (not shown in the figure) covering the support structure 1 and for example having the general appearance of a car.

[0052] The plurality of panels 13 may be made from cardboard, for example corrugated cardboard. The corrugated cardboard may comprise one or several fluted sheets glued to one or more flat sheets. The corrugated cardboard may for example be single faced, single walled, double walled or tripled walled. These types of corrugated cardboard has wet strength in all layers and can be glued with waterproof adhesive. The support structure 1 may be disposable. The support structure according to this variant may be for single use. Thus, once a collision object comprising the support structure has been impacted, the collision object may be replaced. In this manner, the testing of the test vehicle may become more efficient since time does not have to be spent on rebuilding the collision object.

[0053] The plurality of panels 13 may for example have a bending stiffness according to ISO 5628:2012 of 10 Nm to 60 Nm, such as 30 Nm to 50 Nm, such as 35 Nm to 45 Nm. Each of the plurality of panels 13 may have an ECT-value (Edge Crush Test) according to DIN EN ISO 3037 of 8 kN / m to 30 kN / m, such 15 kN / m to 25 kN / m. Further, each of the plurality of panels 13 may have a bursting strength according to ISO 2758:2014 of 2000 kPa to 4600 kPa, such as 2500 kPa to 4100 kPa, such as 3000 kPa to 3600 kPa.

[0054] At least some of the panels 13 comprises recesses 9, and the panels 13 may be connected to each other by receiving some of the panels 13 in the recesses 9.

[0055] According to one variant, the panels 13 of the support structure may be assembled by means of interlocking hook engagement between pairs of recesses in the panels. For example, a first recess 9 of a first panel may be engaged with a second recess 9 of a second panel such that the first and second recesses establish an interlocking hook engagement. The interlocking hook engagement may comprise mating the bottom of a recess with a panel or with the bottom of another recess of a panel. However, the support structure may comprise any other suitable alternative or additional fastening structures. As an example, Velcro ® fasteners may be used.

[0056] The front 5 of the support structure 1 is arranged to hit a test vehicle 3 (not shown in Fig. 2) during a high speed collision event, and the support structure 1 is arranged to collapse by the plurality of panels 13 being arranged such that the support structure 1 as a whole collapses sequentially when the support structure 1 and the test vehicle 3 hit each other in a high speed collision event. Thereby the impact force affecting the test vehicle 3 will be reduced during the collision event. Further, the impact forces will be more evenly distributed during the whole collision event with less significant peak loads. The impact force curve will be gradual, and not concentrated to the initial contact at the start of the collision event. At least parts of the plurality of panels 13 may be provided with one or more first and second cutouts 6, 7 arranged to allow respective panel 13 to collapse when affected by a predetermined force. The first cutouts 6 are primarily surface cutouts, that is cutouts of portions from surface parts of the panels. The cutouts 6 may in exemplified embodiments cover approximately 25% of the surface of a respective panel 13. However, the cutouts may as well cover a smaller or a larger part of the surface, for example from 20% up to 80% of the available surface. Thereby, a relevant reduction of the weight of the panel is provided. The cutouts 6 also facilitates for the panel to collapse.

[0057] The one or more second cutouts 7, that are primarily edge cutouts, may be positioned on a side 8 or edge of respective panel 13. As described above, the exemplified cutouts 7 are formed as V-shaped notches providing deformation zones contributing to reduce the forces acting on a test vehicle during a test collision event. The plurality of panels 13 may be provided with one or more weakened parts, which for example may be such V-shaped notches. Any other form, size or shape providing a weak part easy to break is however applicable. The weakened parts are arranged to break to allow the panel to collapse when affected by a predetermined force. The overall effect of the presented support structure 1 is that forces affecting a test vehicle during a collision event will be reduced. Thereby, the present support structure allow high speed collision events to be performed without damaging the test vehicle. Further, other parts of the plurality of panels may be provided with one or more strengthened parts arranged to maintain its form and function prior to the high speed collision event. When the speed increases, forces acting on the support structure prior to a collision event increases and the support structure needs to be stable enough to withstand such forces. The provided support structure 1 serve both as a stable structure allowing high speed prior to collision without collapsing, and still collapsing easy when the collision starts.

[0058] The the support structure 1 may further comprise more than three transversal panels 13c arranged to collapse sequentially from the front and backwards when a test vehicle hits the support structure 1 in a frontal collision. At least some of the transversal panels 13c may be arranged in pairs, thereby providing stable parts of the support structure 1 serving as a support for a cloth 38 covering the support structure 1 .

[0059] Fig. 3 show examples of longitudinal panels 13a, 13b in accordance with embodiments herein. The longitudinal panel 13a is provided with cutouts 6 aiming to provide a light weight panel, still providing support in a support structure for a collision object 1 during a high speed collision event. The longitudinal panel 13b is provided with one or more second cutouts 7 or edge cutouts positioned on a side 8 of the panel as already described above.

[0060] The longitudinal panel 13b is oriented substantially vertically and is provided with deformation zones and / or cutouts 7, whereby the longitudinal panels 13b will break and collapse during a high speed collision event. The one or more second cutouts 7 is in this example positioned on a side 8 of the panel. The cutouts 7 are adapted such that the panel 13b breaks and collapses sequentially from the front 5 and backwards when the support structure 1 is hit by a test vehicle 3. Thereby, the cutouts 7 contribute to limit the impact forces acting on the test vehicle 3 during a high speed collision event. The plurality of panels 13 of the support structure 1 may comprise two or more longitudinal panels 13a, b, c oriented substantially vertically.

[0061] Fig. 4 is one example of a transversal panel 13c. As shown in the figure, the transversal panel 13c is provided with a plurality of cutouts 6 from the surface of the panel. The size and form of the cutouts 6 is chosen so as to provide a light weight panel, still providing functional support in a high speed collision object, and still further adapted to collapse at a collision event. The shown panel is provided with recesses 9 for assembling the panel in a support structure 1 .

[0062] Turning to Fig. 5, a high speed collision object 2 for use when testing a test vehicle 3 in a high speed collision event will now be described. In this example, the high speed collision object 2 comprises a light weight support structure 1 according to embodiments herein, a cloth or soft cover 38 covering the light weight support structure 1 , and a movable platform 36 for moving the high speed collision object 2. The support structure 1 and the cloth 38 are attached to the movable platform 36. The movable platform 36 may be of various types. One common feature of the various types of movable platform may be that the test vehicle should be capable of running over the movable platform. A movable platform is however not essential for the collision object to move. The collision object may for example alternatively be moved by ropes or wires. In this case, the collision object may hang from one or more ropes wires.

[0063] The high speed collision object 2 may be configured to deform by sequential deformation of one or more of the plurality of panels 13 of the support structure 1 during a high speed collision event. The collision object 2 in embodiments herein may further comprise a cloth 38, or a soft cover, designed to resemble a real collision object, like a car, a motorbike, a truck, a pedestrian or an animal. Alternatively, the collision object may have a general appearance of any typical object present in a traffic situation like a delivery robot, a traffic barrier, a traffic pole, or a road sign.

[0064] As shown in the figure, the high speed collision object 2 may by help of the cloth 38 have a general appearance of a vehicle, such as a car. The cloth 38 may comprise printing of characteristic features, e.g. headlights and wheels, to resemble a vehicle. The cloth 38 is assembled and attached to the collision object 2 in such a way that the collision object 2 shall maintain its shape and function prior to the collision, but during the collision event the cloth 38 shall come loose and allow the support structure 1 to collapse. The cloth 38 enables the collision object 2 to travel stably at high speeds, i.e. without losing its general appearance.

[0065] The collision object 2 may be configured to deform by deformation of one or more of the plurality of panels of the support structure, by deformation of individual panels, and / or by deformation by disengagement between panels.

[0066] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A light weight support structure (1 ) adapted to form a high speed collision object (2) for use when simulating a high speed collision event, wherein said support structure (1 ) is assembled from a plurality of panels (13) attached to each other, and wherein the front (5) of the support structure (1 ) is arranged to hit a test vehicle (3) during a simulated high speed collision event, and wherein said support structure (1 ) is arranged to collapse sequentially from the front (5) and backwards when said support structure (1 ) and said test vehicle (3) hit each other during a high speed collision event, whereby the impact force affecting the test vehicle (3) will be reduced during the high speed collision event, and wherein at least parts of said plurality of panels (13) are provided with one or more cutouts (6, 7) arranged to allow respective panel (13) to break and / or to collapse when affected by a predetermined force.

2. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least two of said plurality of panels (13) are arranged to collapse sequentially from the front (5) and backwards during a high speed collision event.

3. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to the preceding claim 2, wherein one or more surface cutouts (6) are positioned on the surface of respective panel (13).

4. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more edge cutouts (7) are positioned on a side (8) of respective panel (13).

5. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least parts of said plurality of panels (13) are provided with one or more weakened parts arranged to break when affected by a predetermined force.

6. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least parts of said plurality of panels are provided with one or more strengthened parts arranged to maintain its form and function at high speed prior to the high speed collision event.

7. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front (5) of the support structure (1) comprises more than three transversal panels arranged to collapse sequentially from the front (5) and backwards when a test vehicle (3) hits the support structure (1) in a frontal collision.

8. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of panels (13a, b, c) of the support structure (1 ) comprises at least one longitudinal panel (13b) oriented substantially vertically and provided with deformation zones and / or cutouts, whereby said longitudinal panels (13b) will break sequentially during a collision event.

9. The light weight support structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of panels (13) of the support structure (1 ) comprise two longitudinal panels (13a, 13b) oriented substantially vertically.

10. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to the preceding claim, further comprising two or more longitudinal panels (13a, 13b).11 . The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of panels (13) are made from cardboard.

12. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of panels (13) are made from corrugated cardboard.

13. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (1 ) is disposable.

14. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of panels (13) of the support structure (1 ) comprises a plurality of transversal panels (13c).

15. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to the preceding claim 14, wherein at least some of said transversal panels (13c) are arranged in pairs.

16. The light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of said panels (13) comprises recesses and wherein said panels (13) are connected to each other by receiving some of the panels (13) in the recesses.

17. A high speed collision object (2) for use when testing a test vehicle (3) to simulate a high speed collision event, wherein the high speed collision object (2) comprises a light weight support structure (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, a soft cover (38) attached to said light weight support structure (1 ), and a movable platform (36) for moving said high speed collision object (2), wherein the support structure (1 ) is attached to said movable platform (36).

18. The high speed collision object (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the high speed collision object (2) is configured to deform by sequential collapse of two or more of the plurality of panels (13) of the support structure (1 ) during a high speed collision event.

19. The high speed collision object (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein said soft cover (38) is attached to said movable platform (36).

20. The high speed collision object (2) according to any of claims 18 - 20, wherein the high speed collision object (2) has a general appearance of a vehicle, such as a car.

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