A vehicle steering device includes a turning shaft movable in a vehicle widthwise direction, a housing that retains therein the turning shaft, a stopper provided at a shaft end of the turning shaft exposed from the housing, and a collision buffer member, which is provided at the housing, and which restricts a movable range of the stopper in the vehicle widthwise direction. The collision buffer member has an elastic region that absorbs an abutment load by a normal steering operation input from the stopper, and a plastic region that absorbs a shock load input from the stopper and greater than the abutment load by the normal steering operation.

An energy absorber (10, 10, 1010, 1110) includes a monolithic length of ductile material (20,1020,1120) comprising a first end (20a, 1020a, 1120a) and a second end (20b, 1020b, 1120b). The material is formed to include at least a first longitudinally extending section (40, 401, 1040, 1140) that extends continuously between the ends, a first discontinuous section (50a, 50a 1050a, 1150a) extending longitudinally from the first end toward the second end and at least a second discontinuous section (50b, 50b, 1050b, 1150b) extending longitudinally from the second end toward the first end. The first longitudinally extending section is deformed over at least a portion thereof out of a plane running through both ends. The first discontinuous section and the second discontinuous section are connected such that tensile force of a threshold magnitude is required between the ends to disconnect the first discontinuous section from the second discontinuous section, letting the first longitudinally extending section free to deform under tensile force and extend in longitudinal direction.

The present invention relates to an shock absorber based on the cutting, inward-folding and crushing of composite tube, comprising a destructing cap, a flat-pressing cap, a cutter and a positioning tube. The cutter is positioned in the destructing cap, and has a lower end connected to an inner flange of the destructing cap and an upper end connected to the positioning tube. The positioning tube is positioned in the destructing cap and closely connected to the inner wall of the destructing cap, and has a lower surface in contact with the cutter. The destructing cap, the positioning tube and the composite tube are respectively provided with aligned pin holes, and bound together with a pin. Energy is absorbed through destruction generated due to cutting and inward-folding of the composition tube. Energy can also be absorbed through destruction generated due to the inward-folding of the composite tube, without using the cutter. Compared to existing technology, the device may be used as a structural component in a normal working state. In the colliding and crushing state, the device fully destructs the composite. The present invention has the following advantages: the energy-absorption ratio is high; and the energy absorbing device only bears an axial force in the process that the composite is being destroyed, does not bend or rupture, keeps the structure stable, and avoids spattering of scraps.

An energy absorption device includes a support, a dissipating element mounted around the support and being operable to deform plastically under the effect of a shock, and balls mounted with a given pressure against the dissipating element and intended to deform the dissipating element. The support is provided with grooves, and the balls are mounted opposite the grooves of the support and are operable to deform the dissipating element along the length of the grooves.

An apparatus for supporting a flexible conduit which includes a flexible member and a rigid member in fluid communication with the flexible member. The apparatus has a releasable connector and a shock absorber. The releasable connector has a first member and a second member. When a releasing force is applied to the flexible conduit, the releasable connector separates. The shock absorber is configured to absorb a load when the releasable connector separates. The shock absorber may include a compressible material that includes a metal, such as a metal foam or a corrugated metal sheet. The releasable connector and the shock absorber may be integrally formed together.

An energy absorber includes a housing, a bearing housing positioned within the housing, a main connection point connected to a first receiver, and a threaded rod connected through a bearing and having an end connected to the first receiver at a first end of the housing. The bearing is positioned in the bearing housing. Compressible elements of the threaded rod compress against the bearing to absorb energy upon exceeding a force threshold.

A shock absorbing device for a subterranean tool features a plurality of sequentially shearing shear pins that shear after incremental relative motion of the affected components. The travel stop is located internally to a series of spaced collets supported off a ring. Impact of an impact ring segments on the travel stop segments located internally to each collet provides a shock absorbing capability as the collets are placed in tension and deflect by radial flexing in opposed directions. The relatively moving parts are rotationally locked with the last of the shear pins to shear. A backup pair of contacting shoulders are provided if the primary engaging shoulders fail to support the lower end of the tool after impact. A snap ring maintains the parts in the shifted position after impact.

The present invention relates to an shock absorber based on the cutting, inward-folding and crushing of composite tube, comprising a destructing cap, a flat-pressing cap, a cutter and a positioning tube. The cutter is positioned in the destructing cap, and has a lower end connected to an inner flange of the destructing cap and an upper end connected to the positioning tube. The positioning tube is positioned in the destructing cap and closely connected to the inner wall of the destructing cap, and has a lower surface in contact with the cutter. The destructing cap, the positioning tube and the composite tube are respectively provided with aligned pin holes, and bound together with a pin. Energy is absorbed through destruction generated due to cutting and inward-folding of the composition tube. Energy can also be absorbed through destruction generated due to the inward-folding of the composite tube, without using the cutter. Compared to existing technology, the device may be used as a structural component in a normal working state. In the colliding and crushing state, the device fully destructs the composite. The present invention has the following advantages: the energy-absorption ratio is high; and the energy absorbing device only bears an axial force in the process that the composite is being destroyed, does not bend or rupture, keeps the structure stable, and avoids spattering of scraps.

A railcar collision energy absorbing device includes: an energy absorbing element crushed in collision; and a casing extending in a car longitudinal direction so as to accommodate the energy absorbing element. One end of the casing is supported by a main structure of a railcar. The casing is constituted by a plurality of tubular bodies whose overlapping portions are coupled to each other. The casing telescopically contracts in the collision by breaking of a coupling portion between the tubular bodies.

A crash attenuator for decelerating an impacting vehicle includes a first end that can be releasably secured to a vehicle, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The second end includes an impact member that is movable in the longitudinal direction from a pre-impact position to an impact position. At least a pair of spaced deformable attenuator members extend in a longitudinal direction and have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are staggered downstream from the impact member in the pre-impact position. At least a portion of the deformable attenuator members are bent in a non-outboard direction as the impact member is moved from the pre-impact position to the impact position.