Vehicle Impact Sleeve With Guided Cutting for Longer Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impact energy absorbing devices for vehicles have limited energy absorption paths and require additional space within the vehicle for the cutting rod, which is inefficient and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A cut sleeve with a movable cutting tool and blades along its circumference, guided by furrows, where the cutting tool is secured at the sleeve's end and slides towards the vehicle attachment, allowing for extended energy absorption by cutting and deforming the sleeve material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a rod and cutting tool configuration is used, then energy absorption can be achieved, but the energy absorption path is limited by the device length and requires additional space within the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool is nested inside the hollow sleeve structure, with the tool positioned within the sleeve's internal cavity. This nesting arrangement allows the cutting mechanism to be contained within the sleeve's volume rather than requiring separate space, thereby extending the energy absorption path without increasing the overall device volume or requiring additional space within the vehicle.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the cutting tool is positioned at the sleeve end and secured with a closing element, then the energy absorption path is extended, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element serves multiple functions: it secures the cutting tool within the sleeve, defines the initial position of the tool, and acts as a stop to limit the tool's travel distance. By combining these functions into a single component, the design extends the energy absorption path without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting tool is pre-positioned at the sleeve end and secured by the closing element before impact occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that during impact, the tool immediately begins cutting the sleeve material, maximizing the energy absorption path from the outset without requiring additional activation mechanisms.
3Productivity
If blades are distributed along the sleeve circumference with corresponding furrows, then cutting efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The furrows are formed directly within the sleeve structure itself, creating self-guiding channels that automatically position and guide the blades during operation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate, high-precision blade positioning mechanisms, as the sleeve's internal geometry provides the necessary guidance and alignment features.
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 device extends the energy absorption path and time by cutting and deforming the sleeve material, maintaining a stable force level through internal grooves and a neck, enhancing energy dissipation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the cutting tool cuts off stripes of the sleeve material, weakening the material along the stripes
Implementation Method 2
A force resulting from an impact is applied to the tool, therefore the tools is pushed along the sleeve's axis towards the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
the sleeve's free end is pushed, which results in deformation (buckling) of the remaining stripes of the sleeve's material
Data Source
AI summary
An impact energy absorbing device for vehicle, comprising a cut sleeve (1) attached to the vehicle on one end and a cutting tool (2) with a circular cross-section, coaxial with the sleeve (1) and movable along the sleeve (1), whereby the cutting tool (2) has blades (3) located along the sleeve's (1) circumference, and along the length of the sleeve (1) there are furrows (4) for guiding the blades (3), whereby the furrows (4) are located on the sleeve's (1) circumference in such a manner that their location corresponds to the circumferential location of the blades (3). Wherein the cutting tool (2) is located at the sleeve's (1) free end and secured with a closing element (6) which retains the cutting tool (2) allowing it to slide along the sleeve (1) towards its end attached to the vehicle.