CONTROLLED AIR COMPRESSION CELLULAR ELASTOMERIC ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to impact-absorbing and energy-dissipating protection systems used in motor vehicles, and is particularly suitable for use in areas such as the front bumper, rear bumper, chassis side protection zones, sill lines, door sill protection zones, etc.; it concerns an energy system that enables the gradual absorption and dissipation of impact energy through the controlled compression of air within the cells by the deformation of cellular elastic polymer structures.

Description

- 1 - TARIFF CONTROLLED AIR COMPRESSION CELLULAR ELASTOMERIC ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEM Technical Area 5 The invention relates to shock-absorbing and energy-dissipating protective devices used in motor vehicles. It relates to systems, especially the front bumper, rear bumper, and side chassis of vehicles. in areas such as protection zones, sill lines, door bottom protection zones, etc. suitable for use in; impact energy, cellular elastic polymer structures As a result of the deformation, the air inside the cells is compressed in a controlled manner. 10 with an energy system that enables gradual absorption and damping It is related. Previous Technique 15 Today, reducing the impact energy generated in motor vehicles, collision Various energy absorption methods are used to dampen the effects and protect the vehicle body. These systems are generally used inside the vehicle bumpers. in these areas, in the front grille carrier structures, in the side protection areas, in the sill panels Foam positioned in areas and around the vehicle's perimeter impact protection points, 20 It consists of shock-absorbing elements based on polymer or cellular structure. Current techniques particularly involve EPS, EPP, polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, and similar materials. Lightweight foam-based energy absorption elements are widely used. This... alongside polymer-based honeycomb structures, multicellular shock-absorbing modules, energy 25 Distribution structures and elastomer-based buffer support elements are also known. However, A significant portion of existing systems primarily utilize impact energy to crush the material, to reduce by breaking, shattering or undergoing permanent deformation He is working. Geometric form loss after high impact, especially in foam-based structures. This occurs, elastic recovery capability decreases, and the systems fail again. The usability is significantly reduced. Therefore, the existing structures are subject to multiple impacts. Their performance remains limited. 35 - 2 - In known cellular energy absorption systems, pulse energy is mostly only absorbed by the system. It appears that damping occurs through mechanical deformation of the cell walls. Cell additional energy is dissipated by controlled compression of the air volume inside. The structures that create this effect have not been developed to a sufficient level. In existing structures, air 5 The entrapment usually occurs as a natural and uncontrolled physical consequence. This involves a combination of controlled air pressure increase and elastomeric deformation. Stepwise energy absorption mechanisms are not adequately provided. Furthermore, a significant portion of existing systems are only located in the inner areas of the vehicle bumper. It is used in the side body protection areas of the vehicle, in the sill lines, and under the doors. modular in protection zones and vehicle environmental protection systems Applicable elastomeric cellular energy absorption solutions are not sufficient. It is not available. In known multicellular structures, cell geometries are often determined solely by structural lightness. It is used for the purpose of ensuring the multi-directional distribution of the impact force. controlled elastomeric deformation behavior and intracellular air entrapment behavior The number of systems in which they are optimized together is limited. Therefore, in the industry, products with elastic recovery properties and multi-impact resistance are preferred. capable of providing this by combining elastomeric deformation with controlled air compression, capable of distributing impact energy in a multidirectional manner throughout the cellular structure, with different stiffness zones. new technologies that can be created and applied modularly to vehicle environmental protection areas Next-generation energy absorption systems are needed. 25 Brief Description of the Invention The invention involves thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane elastomer, and rubber. multicellular structures formed from elastomeric polymers based on engineering materials. It has an elastomeric body structure and is a closed or semi-sealed cell 30 In a cellular structure containing geometries, elastomeric wall deformation occurs upon impact. by using controlled compression of the air inside the cells, intracellular by allowing a controlled increase in air pressure, thus increasing the impact force distribution of the pulse energy throughout the cellular structure and incremental distribution It is related to energy absorption systems that carry out damping. 35 - 3 - The invention relates to the deformation of elastomeric cell walls during impact, causing cells to... by using the controlled compression of the air inside, the impact energy It has a damping effect and preferably a very dense cellular structure. The invention relates to elastomeric wall deformation, controlled air compression, and elastic recovery. Thanks to the combined action of recovery mechanisms; controlled energy distribution. It is formed, provides multi-impact resistance, offers reusability and Improved impact resistance compared to existing foam-based energy absorption systems. It creates a modular energy absorption structure that provides damping performance. Also; different cell densities, different wall thicknesses, different elastomer stiffnesses multi-density zones created to include different elastomer ratios. Modular energy absorption systems with cellular structures are used in these highly dense environments. Thanks to the cellular structure (16), more flexible regions in low-energy impacts, high In high-energy shocks, the shock energy is increased by 15% due to the activation of harder regions. Gradual absorption is ensured. The cellular structure used in this invention is a hexagonal cell with honeycomb geometry. structures, polygonal cell structures or similar multicellular geometries It can be created. Especially thanks to the hexagonal cell geometry, the impact force is 20 This ensures a multifaceted distribution, reduces local stress concentrations, and more Homogeneous deformation behavior is obtained. The invention is based on the cell geometry, stiffness distribution, type of elastomer to be used, and Injection molding, double injection method, KO-25 according to the targeted mechanical properties. extrusion, elastomer casting method, multi-zone molding system, modular mold It can be produced using additive manufacturing or other production methods. The invention covers the front bumper area (8), front grille area (9), and side body underguard area. (10), sill protection line (11), door bottom protection areas, rear bumper areas, 30 They can be used in chassis interiors and similar vehicle environmental protection areas. This allows... The system protects not only the inner bumper areas but also other parts of the vehicle that may receive an impact. A modular energy system that can also be applied in environmental protection areas and inside chassis. It forms an absorption structure. 35 - 4 - DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1: The invention's front section of the vehicle, front bumper area (8) and front grille area (9) Example usage view implemented within Figure 2: Cellular body structure of the invention (2), cells (3), inside the cells Perspective 5 showing the defined air chambers (4) and elastomeric wall structure (5). appearance Figure 3: Cellular body structure of the invention (2), cells (3), air chambers (4), elastomeric wall structure (5), energy absorption zone (6), outer protective surface (18), Elastomeric wall thickness (t), cell width (b) and cellular structure height (h) Cross-section view showing 10 Figure 4: Vehicle side body under protection zone (10) and sill protection line of the invention (11) Example usage view applied throughout Figure 5: Modular connection surface (7), vehicle connection point (17) and included in the invention. outer protective surface (18) appearance Figure 6: Stepwise 15 formed with the hardness-adjustable elastomeric structure (12) included in the invention. Multidensity cellular structure (16) showing energy absorption regions perspective view Figure 7: Controlled deformation of the invention under the effect of impact direction (14) at the moment of impact deformation of the elastomeric wall structure (5) within region (13) and air Schematic section showing the controlled compression of air inside the chambers (4) 20 appearance Figure 8: Cellular along the post-impact elastic recovery zone (15) of the invention the post-deformation recovery behavior of the structure and the direction of energy distribution (19) schematic view Explanation of References in Figures 1. Controlled air compression cellular elastomeric energy absorption system 2. Cellular body structure 3. Cells 30 4. Air chambers 5. Elastomeric wall structure 6. Energy absorption region 7. Modular connection surface 8. Front bumper area 35 9. Front grille area 10. Side underbody protection area - 5 - 11. Sill protection line 12. Hardness-adjustable elastomeric structure 13. Controlled deformation zone 14. Direction of the coup 15. Elastic recovery zone 5 16. Highly dense cellular structure 17. Vehicle connection point 18. Outer protective surface 19. Direction of energy distribution h. Cellular structure height 10 t. Elastomeric wall thickness b. Cell width Detailed Description of the Invention 15 The invention aims to reduce the impact and collision effects of motor vehicles. Developed for the purpose of controlled air compression cellular elastomeric energy absorption. It is related to the system (1). The system subject to the invention (1); front bumper area (8), front grille area (9), lower side body 20 protection zone (10), sill protection line (11), door bottom protection zones, chassis interior, rear bumper areas and vehicle perimeter protection are modular. It is applicable. The system subject to the invention (1); cellular body structure based on elastomeric polymer (2), very 25 number of cells (3), defined air chambers within the cells (4), elastomeric wall structure (5), energy absorption zone (6), modular connection surface (7), hardness adjustable Elastomeric structure (12), controlled deformation zone (13), elastic recovery region (15), multi-density cellular structure (16) vehicle connection point (17) and outside It contains a protective surface (18). 30 Cellular body structure (2), thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane Elastomers, which are rubber-based elastomeric polymers, are elastic materials. The materials in question will provide elastic deformation upon impact and the impact force It will exhibit elastic recovery behavior after its disappearance 35 is being created. - 6 - There are numerous cells (3) on the cellular body structure (2). The cells (3); It can be formed from hexagonal structures with honeycomb geometry, as well as square, circular, They can also be formed from oval, polygonal, or hybrid geometric structures. Cell geometry; vehicle area where the system will be used, expected impact level, 5 according to the targeted deformation behavior and desired energy dissipation characteristics It is determined that the cells (3) have a multidirectional impact force throughout the cellular structure. It is arranged in such a way as to ensure that it is distributed in this manner. Cell geometry Thanks to this, the impact force is distributed in different directions, resulting in local stress concentrations. This reduces and results in a more homogeneous deformation. 10 The cells (3) are formed in a closed or semi-sealed structure and the cells (3) Air chambers (4) are defined within it. The elastomeric wall structure (5) contains air It is designed to completely or partially restrict escape. This structure Thanks to this, the air volume inside the cells (3) is compressed during the impact, resulting in a controlled internal 15 This creates an increase in pressure, and this air pressure causes elastomeric deformation. Together, they contribute to the dissipation of impact energy. During impact, the elastomeric wall structure (5) undergoes controlled deformation, The air volume inside the cells (3) is compressed, creating an increase in internal pressure and 20 As a result of the combined effect of elastomeric deformation and controlled air compression. The impact energy is gradually dissipated. Thanks to this structure, the impact energy... This prevents the concentration of force in localized areas and ensures that the force travels throughout the cellular structure. It is distributed in a multifaceted way. Elastomeric wall located within the controlled deformation zone (13) during impact its structure (5) undergoes deformation by stretching, air inside the cells (3) The chambers (4) are shrinking in volume and the intracellular air pressure is increasing. Thanks to the resulting pressure effect, the impact energy is transferred only to the elastomeric material. not only by deformation, but also by a controlled air compression mechanism 30 It is being reduced gradually. The energy absorption region (6) is the controlled absorption of pulse energy throughout the cellular structure. It defines the area where it is distributed and damped. In the direction of the impulse (14) The incoming force, within the controlled deformation region (13) the elastomeric wall structure 35 (5) and is met by air chambers (4), then the direction of energy distribution (19) It is reduced by spreading throughout the cellular structure. - 7 - Elastomeric wall structure (5), elastic recovery zone after impact (15) shows a tendency to return to the initial geometry throughout. This structure Thanks to this system, it differs from disposable foam-based energy absorption elements. It also provides reusability even after multiple impacts. As a result of the deformation of the elastomeric wall structure (5), the cells (3) 5 as a result of the decrease in the volume of air inside, the intracellular pressure decreases. By increasing, the pulse energy is distributed throughout the cellular structure and gradually It fades away. The ratio between elastomeric wall thickness (t) and cell width (b) is 1:5 to 1:20. The cell width (b) is selected between 10 mm and depending on the application area. It can be manufactured between 40 mm. These dimensional ratios are based on impact resistance, based on flexibility, controlled deformation behavior and energy dissipation performance. It can be changed. The system described in this invention allows for the creation of different hardness zones. Hardness adjustable. Elastomeric structure (12); elastomer with different hardness values ​​(shore hardnesses) materials, different polymer densities, different wall thicknesses, or different elastomers They can be produced using these ratios. Within the system, the hardness value (shore) is between A 40 and A 95. Different hardness zones are created, varying in this context. More flexible regions in low-energy pulses by using cellular structure (16) deformation occurs, and in high-energy impacts, harder regions come into play. By entering the system, the impact energy is gradually dissipated. 25 Multi-density cellular structure (16), different cell sizes, different cell densities and It can be arranged to include different elastomer hardness zones. Thus, impact The concentration of energy in a single region is prevented, and energy absorption is achieved through the cellular structure. It is distributed in a controlled manner throughout. Thanks to its elastic recovery property. It offers high impact resistance and reusability. 30 The invention consists of the system (1), modular connection surface (7) and vehicle connection point (17) It is mounted on the vehicle via. Vehicle mounting point (17); bolted connection, snap connection, rail connection, clip connection, adhesive connection or It may include at least one of the detachable modular connection structures. 35 - 8 - The invention covers the front bumper area (8), front grille area (9), and side body underguard area. (10), sill protection line (11), door bottom protection zones, chassis interior, rear bumper These areas and similar vehicles can be used in environmental protection zones. In this way... The system protects not only the inner bumper areas but also other parts of the vehicle that may receive an impact. A modular energy absorption structure that can also be applied in environmental protection areas 5 It constitutes. The outer protective surface (18) increases the system's resistance to external environmental conditions. It is used for the purpose of: Outer protective surface (18); abrasion, UV effect, temperature 10 that provides protection against external factors such as change, humidity, road chemicals and the like. It can be formed as an elastomeric or coating-based outer layer. 20 30 35

Claims

-9- REQUESTS 1. The invention describes a controlled air system used for dissipating impulse energy. It is a compression cellular elastomeric energy absorption system (1), and its characteristic is; − Elastomeric polymer based cellular body structure (2), - Distributing the impact force in a multi-directional manner throughout the cellular structure. Cells (3), − Air chambers defined within the cells (4), − Elastomeric wall that surrounds the cells and limits air escape 10 structure (5), − Modular connection surface (7), − Controlled (5) with an elastomeric wall structure deformation zone (13), − By preventing the concentration of impact energy in a single region, the energy is distributed as follows: 15 Multiple systems distribute the absorption process in a controlled manner throughout the cellular structure. dense cellular structure (16), − Vehicle connection point (17), - An external protective casing that increases the system's resistance to external environmental conditions. It is characterized by containing a surface (18). 20 2. Invention Claim 1: Controlled air compression cellular elastomeric energy The absorption system (1) has the characteristic of being closed, semi-sealed cells (3). by creating and defining air chambers (4) within the cells (3) It is characterized by... 25 3. Invention Claim 1: Controlled air compression cellular elastomeric energy The absorption system (1) has the characteristic of; Elastomeric wall structure (5) as a result of deformation of the air volume inside the cells (3) by decreasing and consequently increasing intracellular pressure, impact 30 the distribution of its energy throughout the cellular structure and gradually It is characterized by being designed in a way that allows for damping. 35 -10- 4. Invention Claim 1: Controlled air compression cellular elastomeric energy absorption system (1) and its feature is; elastomeric cellular body structure (2) The ratio between wall thickness (t) and cell width (b) should be between 1:5 and 1:20, by selecting the cell width (b) between 10 mm and 40 mm It is characterized by: 5 5. Invention Claim 1: Controlled air compression cellular elastomeric energy The absorption system (1) is characterized by its front buffer zone of the system subject to the invention. (8), front grille area (9), side body underguard area (10), sill protection line (11), door bottom protection zones, chassis interior, rear bumper areas and 10 The vehicle is characterized by its modular design in terms of environmental protection. 20 30

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