Segmented Energy Absorber for Vehicle Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorbers in motor vehicles fail to optimally combine pedestrian protection and vehicle protection, with materials like EPP-foam being too soft for low-speed collisions and complex systems requiring specific configurations.
Innovation Solution
An energy absorber comprising two support walls with U-shaped, tunnel-like polyeder structural elements that slide and deform in a controlled manner, providing adaptable protection by engaging in a zipper-like fashion and exhibiting stiffness only under high impact, allowing for effective energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If foam material is used as energy absorber, then pedestrian protection is improved, but vehicle protection in low-speed collisions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorber is divided into multiple individual structural elements (U-shaped profiles, tubular elements, or lamellae) arranged in series between support walls. Each element can deform independently, allowing the overall structure to provide both soft response for pedestrian protection and cumulative energy absorption for vehicle protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorber combines multiple structural elements with different deformation characteristics (bending elements, crushing elements, folding elements) within a single composite structure. This allows the absorber to exhibit both soft initial response (for pedestrian safety) and progressive hardening (for vehicle protection) through the coordinated deformation of different element types.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If foam material is used as energy absorber, then pedestrian protection is improved, but energy absorption in high-speed collisions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The structural elements are designed to exhibit rate-dependent deformation behavior where they deform easily at low impact speeds (protecting pedestrians) but resist deformation more strongly at high impact speeds (absorbing collision energy). The progressive engagement of multiple elements creates a dynamic energy absorption profile that adapts to impact severity.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorber structure changes its effective stiffness parameter during deformation. Initial deformation of individual elements provides low stiffness for pedestrian protection, while progressive engagement of multiple elements and support walls increases the overall stiffness to provide adequate energy absorption for high-speed collisions.
3Strength
If complex deformation cup structures are used, then vehicle protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different local regions of the energy absorber have different structural qualities - some areas have bending elements for soft response, others have crushing or folding elements for energy absorption. This localized differentiation allows the overall simple structure to provide both pedestrian and vehicle protection without requiring complex configurations throughout.
4Use of energy by moving object
If bending elements are used, then energy absorption is improved, but pedestrian protection deteriorates due to static stress response
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorber merges multiple deformation mechanisms (bending, crushing, folding) within a single integrated structure. The bending elements provide progressive energy absorption while being combined with support walls and spacing that prevent excessive static deflection, thus maintaining both energy absorption capability and pedestrian protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural elements are pre-configured with specific geometries (U-shapes, tubes, lamellae) and initial stresses that enable them to deform in a controlled sequence. This preliminary configuration ensures that elements engage progressively during impact, providing immediate soft response for pedestrian protection while maintaining energy absorption capacity throughout the deformation 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 absorber effectively absorbs energy during both low-speed pedestrian impacts and high-speed vehicle collisions, meeting legal requirements for pedestrian protection while minimizing vehicle damage.
Implementation Method 1
U-shaped, tunnel-like polyeder structural elements that slide and deform in a controlled manner, providing adaptable protection by engaging in a zipper-like fashion and exhibiting stiffness only under high impact, allowing for effective energy absorption
Implementation Method 2
The absorber effectively absorbs energy during both low-speed pedestrian impacts and high-speed vehicle collisions
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorber for damping the impact upon the body of a motor vehicle includes energy absorbing bodies that include successively arranged support walls with a number of energy absorbing structural elements that are each separately arranged at the support wall and are firmly connected to the support wall. Upon impact, each of the structural elements absorb energy by moving towards an opposite support wall while adjoining neighboring structural element until the structural elements are compacting.