Flexible Tensile Member With Releasable Convolutions for Gradual Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorbing systems often cause damage to vehicles and their occupants due to abrupt deceleration when attempting to stop moving objects like vehicles and projectiles, and they struggle with size and space constraints, making them ineffective for heavier or faster-moving objects.
Innovation Solution
An energy absorbing system utilizing a flexible tensile member with folded portions retained by energy-absorbing connectors that gradually absorb energy through cyclical tension changes, allowing the member to extend and decelerate objects without excessive force, and an engaging device like a net to slow or stop moving objects safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional energy absorbing systems stop vehicles quickly, then the system size can be reduced, but the vehicle and occupants experience excessive force causing damage and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tensile member is divided into multiple folded portions, each retained by separate energy-absorbing connectors. This segmentation allows the system to absorb energy in discrete stages through sequential connector failure, extending the deceleration distance while maintaining a compact stored configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible configuration. The folded portions dynamically unfold as connectors fail sequentially, allowing the system to adapt its length and force absorption characteristics during the arrest process, thereby reducing peak deceleration forces.
2Loss of energy
If energy absorbing systems are designed for heavy trucks at high speed, then the system can handle higher energy, but the system size and foundation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The folded portions of the flexible tensile member are nested within a compact configuration when not in use. Each folded portion contains segments of the cable, creating a space-efficient stored state that expands only during operation to absorb the required kinetic energy from heavy vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its physical parameters during operation - transitioning from a compact folded state to an extended unfolded state. The number of unfolded portions and their extension distance can be adjusted by selecting appropriate connector strengths, allowing the same physical structure to handle varying energy levels from different vehicle masses and speeds.
3Device complexity
If the flexible tensile member uses fixed connectors, then the structure is simpler, but the system cannot gradually absorb energy through cyclical tension changes
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption process occurs through periodic cycles of tension increase and decrease as each connector fails sequentially. This periodic action creates a cyclical pattern where tension builds until a connector yields, then releases, allowing the next connector to engage, thereby gradually dissipating energy over an extended time period.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy-absorbing connectors are designed with predetermined failure strengths that automatically trigger the unfolding sequence. The system serves itself by using the applied load to progressively fail connectors in order, without requiring external control mechanisms, while still achieving gradual energy absorption through this self-regulating process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively slows or stops moving objects while minimizing damage and injury by gradually dissipating kinetic energy, allowing for the use in various applications, including vehicles and projectiles, without the need for extensive space or complex foundations.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tensile member (e.g., a cable, chain, and/or strap) that is configured to absorb energy from a moving object in a cyclical manner so that the flexible tensile member experiences a first increase in tension, a first decrease in tension, and a second increase in tension during the time that the moving object is decelerated
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorber includes a flexible tensile member having lengthwise sections arranged serially along a length of the flexible tensile member. Lengthwise sections define convolutions. Features are provided for both restricting straightening of the convolutions and automatically reconfiguring, in response predetermined tension in the flexible tensile member, to allow straightening of the convolutions.