Sprint Car Safety Block Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling the movement of a sprint car's torque tube during crashes are ineffective and can lead to driver injury due to failure to absorb and transfer energy properly, often causing the torque tube to move sideways and upwards, as seen in incidents like Tony Stewart's injury.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising hi-density foam safety blocks with a protective polyurea coating, strategically positioned within the sprint car frame to absorb and transfer energy from the torque tube, preventing it from moving into the footwell and distributing forces effectively during a crash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current systems are used to control torque tube movement, then the system structure is simple, but the safety effectiveness is poor and cannot properly absorb and transfer energy during crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces safety blocks as intermediary components positioned between the torque tube and the chassis. These blocks serve as mediators that absorb and redirect the energy from torque tube failures, preventing direct contact with the driver while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety blocks are constructed from composite materials combining a polyurea outer shell with foam core material. This composite structure provides both the necessary strength to withstand torque tube forces and the energy absorption capabilities needed for effective crash mitigation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the torque tube is allowed to move freely during failure, then the system maintains operational flexibility, but the driver is exposed to harmful forces and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The safety blocks are designed to convert the harmful kinetic energy from torque tube failures into beneficial controlled deformation of the foam material. The polyurea shell directs the force while the foam core absorbs energy, transforming a potentially injurious event into a controlled energy dissipation process that protects the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety blocks are pre-positioned within the chassis structure to provide cushioning protection before a torque tube failure occurs. The foam material is specifically selected and configured to provide optimal energy absorption characteristics that are activated only during crash events, maintaining normal operation flexibility while providing protective cushioning when needed.
3Loss of energy
If a rigid barrier is used to stop torque tube movement, then the driver is protected from movement, but the system cannot effectively absorb and distribute energy
Solution Approach 1:
The safety blocks utilize materials with variable mechanical properties - the polyurea shell provides high strength and rigidity to withstand and redirect forces, while the foam core provides low rigidity for energy absorption through deformation. This parameter variation within a single component enables both protective strength and effective energy dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining polyurea and foam materials in a composite structure, the safety blocks achieve both the strength needed to stop torque tube movement and the energy absorption capacity to distribute forces effectively. The rigid outer shell maintains structural integrity while the compliant inner foam absorbs and distributes energy throughout the chassis structure.
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 absorbs and transfers energy from the torque tube to the sprint car frame, reducing the risk of driver injury by distributing forces in the designed direction, enhancing safety and durability while being cost-effective and easy to install.
Implementation Method 1
a first safety block preventing the torque tube from moving into the footwell during torque tube failure... configured to absorb and transfer energy from the torque tube to the vehicle frame
Implementation Method 2
have a protective coating made of polyurea
Implementation Method 3
configured to absorb and transfer energy from the torque tube to the vehicle frame
Data Source
AI summary
Safety blocks can provide two points of contact for a torque tube of a sprint car if it breaks free and begins to move. During impact, safety blocks absorb and transfer energy from the torque tube to the sprint car frame located on the outer face of the safety blocks. Each face of the safety blocks can be manufactured to accommodate any surface irregularity within the sprint car frame. The safety blocks may be inserted into the sprint car from the rear of the sprint car towards the front of the sprint car.