Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Frangible section or means
Patent
1992-07-09
1996-07-30
Boucher, Darnell M.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Frangible section or means
296188, 527312, 527313, 527314, 527316, 52100, 52631, B62D 2502, B60R 1902, B60J 504
Patent
active
055400167
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a beam employed as a reinforcement of a vehicle body, in an impact structure or the like, and more particularly to a structural beam comprising a hollow shape having parallel or substantially parallel deformation walls oriented perpendicularly to a direction of anticipated load impact exposure.
Such beams are employed, e.g., in car doors as protection for vehicle occupants against a side collision. Apart from the need to absorb applied impact energy, the beam should also be as light as possible in order to avoid an unnecessary increase in body weight of the vehicle. German DE 3,606,024 discloses a beam of this type that is dimensioned over its entire length to absorb the actual maximal anticipated impact load. Consequently, such beam does not comply with the need regarding an optimal strength/weight relationship.
From German DE 380 724 it is known to resolve the above problem by provision of a constructed beam where one or more additional complementary shapes are connected to a hollow shape along the actual area to be exposed to an impact load. German DE 3,826,958 discloses a constructed beam consisting of two spot welded shapes locally reinforced by means of outwardly or inwardly positioned and fastened additional shapes. Rather complicated solutions are presented in both the above cases, and the application therein of additional shapes results in extra assembly operations and increased manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention therefore is to provide a weight optimized beam exhibiting a variable deformation resistance along its length without the requirement for supplemental reinforcing elements or the need for extensive assembly machining of the beam.
This object is achieved according to the invention by provision of a beam comprising an integral one-piece, unitary extruded hollow shape having parallel deformation walls having a variable wall thickness along their longitudinal dimension. According to a preferred embodiment, the hollow shape is extruded to have a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with two parallel longitudinally extending walls arranged perpendicularly to a direction of impact load exposure, with a wall thickness of each wall gradually increasing from opposite longitudinal ends thereof towards a central deformation zone having a maximal wall thickness. The central zone of the deformation wall on the predicted impact load side of the shape may be delimited against end portions thereof by laterally extending grooves to ensure a controlled folding of the shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showing a hollow shape according to the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section of the hollow shape take along line 2--2 in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A hollow shape 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a substantially rectangular cross section and is extruded to have two opposite generally parallel and planar longitudinally extending deformation walls 2, 3 connected by two opposite substantially parallel and planar longitudinally extending connecting walls 9, 10. Each deformation wall 2, 3 has a gradually increasing wall thickness from each of opposite longitudinal ends 4 or 5 thereof toward a respective central deformation zone 6 or 7 thereof. The maximal wall thickness at zones 6 or 7 is dimensioned according to the expected impact load. As will be apparent particularly from FIG. 2, each connecting wall 9, 10 has a uniform wall thickness throughout the length or longitudinal extension thereof, and the wall thickness of connecting walls 9, 10 is less than the maximum wall thickness of deformation walls 2, 3, i.e. at zones 6, 7. As further shown in FIG. 2, deformation walls 2, 3 extend laterally outwardly beyond both of the connecting walls 9, 10.
The hollow shape having the desired lo
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Boucher Darnell M.
Norsk Hydro a.s.
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