Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type – Having fluid means within impact means to absorb energy
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-05
2001-08-28
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
Having fluid means within impact means to absorb energy
C293S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279973
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to energy absorption apparatus more particularly for the absorption or dissipation of kinetic energy during an impact or crash for example of a motor vehicle colliding with an obstruction.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various systems have been proposed for the protection of drivers and passengers in vehicles during a crash. Popular methods involve, for example, compressed air bags, hydraulic dampers, deformable fibre reinforced or metal constructions such as tubes, profiles or honeycomb shapes. However, it is believed that there tend to be disadvantages with all known systems. For example, specific energy absorption of existing systems is usually not high enough, more especially in the case of non-axial impacts, and the only way to increase the level of safety at high velocities with such systems would appear to be to enlarge to a very great extent the dimensions and masses involved of the energy absorbing devices. Accordingly, by way of background information attention is drawn to the following references:
Scientific Eng.Bull., Cairo Univ., Egypt,v.1981/1, A.M. Eleiche, A. F. Bastawros, Survey of energy devices used in engineering systems; Appl.Mech.Reviews, 1978,v.31, N 3, 277, W. Johnson, S. R. Reid, Metallic energy dissipating systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to alleviate the aforementioned, or other, problem in absorbing impact energy or to provide energy absorption apparatus which is improved in at least some respect.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an energy absorption apparatus, for absorbing energy on impact with an obstacle, said apparatus comprising a liquid held between a first member and a second member connected or connectable to a moving body, for example a vehicle, in use, the first member being movable or deformable relative to said second member on impact of said first member with an obstacle, thereby exerting a force on said liquid causing a frangible membrane or portion in or adjacent to the first or second member to burst and a jet of said liquid to be expelled through said burst membrane or portion.
Usually the liquid will have a low viscosity coefficient, of the order of 1 puas or 10
−3
kg/m.s at 20° C., which may be provided by a liquid such as water. Preferably, the velocity of the jet is about 200 to 300 m/s when the moving body to be decelerated has a velocity in the order of 10 to 20 m/s. The frangible membrane preferably has a diameter in the order of 10 mm or in the range of about 5 mm to 20 mm.
In one embodiment of this aspect of the present invention the first member may comprise a piston and the second member may comprise a cylinder containing the liquid; the second member may be provided with a hole or opening across which the frangible membrane extends or the second member may be provided with a reduced thickness portion forming said frangible membrane. The frangible membrane will usually be of circular shape.
It is possible that a plurality of frangible membranes or portions will be provided in order to provide a plurality of jets of said liquid which are expelled from said second member or cylinder in use to absorb impact energy.
A preferred form of the energy absorption apparatus in accordance with the present invention is a cylinder containing a liquid, with a movable piston and a hole or holes for the formation of jets. A preferable relation or ratio of the piston section to the jet section is about 15-20. Then at a piston velocity (which is equal to the instant velocity of the moving body) in the range of 10-20 m/s the jet velocity can reach or even exceed 200-300 m/s. An estimate based on the energy conservation law indicates that it is possible to stop a vehicle with an initial velocity of 50-70 km/hour using two cylinders (to provide higher safety at non-central collision) with the total volume of the liquid about or less than 10 liters.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided energy absorption apparatus, for absorbing energy on impact with an obstacle, said apparatus comprising a liquid encased in a shell, the shell being deformable on impact with an obstacle thereby exerting a force on said liquid causing a frangible membrane or portion in the shell to burst and a jet of said liquid to be expelled through said burst membrane or portion.
Usually, the shell will be integrally formed and may be, for example, a part of a bumper.
Further according to the present invention there is provided an energy absorption apparatus for absorbing energy on impact with an obstacle, said energy absorption apparatus being for transforming the kinetic energy of the impact into kinetic energy of a high velocity liquid jet, said liquid being of low viscosity.
Still further according to the present invention there is provided an energy absorption apparatus, for absorbing energy on impact with an obstacle, said apparatus comprising one or more volumes of liquid arranged between a first member and a second member connected or connectable to a moving body or encased in a shell, the first member being movable or deformable relative to said second member on impact of said first member with an obstacle, or the shell being deformable on impact with an obstacle, thereby exerting a force on said liquid and causing at least one jet of liquid to be formed to dissipate the kinetic energy of the impact, said jet possibly being formed by a frangible membrane bursting or possibly being formed through a valve or other pressure relief means.
Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of absorbing energy on impact of energy absorbing apparatus with an obstacle, said method comprising moving or deforming a first member relative to a second member connected to a moving body thereby exerting a force on a liquid held between the first and second members causing a frangible membrane or portion in or adjacent to the first or second member to burst, or actuating pressure relief means, and forming a jet of said liquid expelled through said burst membrane or portion or pressure relief means.
Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of absorbing energy on impact of energy absorbing apparatus with an obstacle, said method comprising deforming a shell containing a liquid on impact with an obstacle, thereby exerting a force on said liquid causing a frangible membrane or portion in the shell to burst or actuating pressure relief means to form a jet of said liquid expelled through said burst membrane or portion or pressure relief means.
Many advantageous apparatus and method features of the present invention will be apparent from following the description and drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3470763 (1969-10-01), Johnston
patent: 3503600 (1970-03-01), Rich
patent: 3512822 (1970-05-01), Rich et al.
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patent: 5445430 (1995-08-01), Nichols
patent: 40 37 101 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 41 18 300 (1992-12-01), None
patent: 58-180845 (1983-10-01), None
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Machine Design, vol. 39, No. 11, May 11, 1967, Cleveland, US, p. 64.
Eleiche, et al., “Survey of Energy Absorbing Devices Used in Engineering Systems”, in Scientific Engineering Bulletin, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt, 1981, pp. 1-42.
Johnson, et al., “Metallic Energy Dissipating Systems”, Applied Mechanics Reviews, University Engineering Department, University of Cambridge, vol. 31, No. 3, Mar. 1978, pp. 277-288.
Albertini Carlo
Mogilevski Mikhail
Dayoan D. Glenn
European Community of Rue Alcide de Gasperi
Morrow Jason
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
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