Abstract
A deformable element includes a profiled tube having a rectangular cross-section, and a plate which closes the profiled tube at one end, where a bracket is fastened between opposite sides of the profiled tube at the end of the profiled tube that is closed by the plate.
Claims
1. A water-tight deformable element, comprising: a profiled tube having a rectangular cross-section; a continuously planar plate which closes the profiled tube at a first end of the tube; and a bracket formed to match the rectangular cross-section of the profiled tube and having a repeatedly curved shape which is formed in a double s-shape, said bracket being axially aligned with the profiled tube and the continuously planar plate, oriented away from the profiled tube and directly fastened to and terminating at the first end of the profiled tube which is closed by the continuously formed planar plate to form the water-tight deformable element.
2. The deformable element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profiled tube, the plate and the bracket are each welded together.
3. The deformable element as claimed in claim 2, wherein the profiled tube is configured to fasten to a support component at a second end of the profiled tube facing away from the bracket.
4. The deformable element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profiled tube is configured to fasten to a support component at a second end of the profiled tube facing away from the bracket.
5. The deformable element as claimed in claim 4, wherein the profiled tube is formed to produce a welding connection with the support component.
6. The deformable element as claimed in claim 4, wherein the profiled tube is formed to produce a screw connection with the support component.
7. The deformable element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket is manufactured from sheet metal and follows an essentially U-shaped course between fastening points on the profiled tube.
8. The deformable element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket is manufactured from sheet metal and follows a form between fastening points on the profiled tube which has a convex section, followed by a concave section, followed by a convex section.
9. The deformable element as claimed in claim 8, wherein a peak of the concave section is set at a distance from the plate.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is an illustration of a deformable element in accordance with the invention;
(3) FIG. 2 in illustration of a side view of the deformable element of FIG. 1;
(4) FIG. 3 is an illustration of a stage 1 simulation of a deformable element in accordance with the invention;
(5) FIG. 4 is an illustration of a stage 2 simulation of the deformable element in accordance with the invention;
(6) FIG. 5 is an illustration of a stage 3 simulation of the deformable element in accordance with the invention;
(7) FIG. 6 is an illustration of a stage 4 simulation of the deformable element in accordance with the invention;
(8) FIG. 7 is an illustration of a stage 5 simulation of the deformable element in accordance with the invention;
(9) FIG. 8 is an illustration of a stage 6 simulation of the deformable element in accordance with the invention;
(10) FIG. 9 is an illustration of a deformable U-shaped bracket of the deformable element of FIG. 1;
(11) FIG. 10 is an illustration of a side view of the deformable U-shaped bracket of FIG. 9;
(12) FIG. 11 is an illustration of stage 1 simulation of the deformable element U-shaped bracket in accordance with the invention; and
(13) FIG. 12 is an illustration of stage 2 simulation of the deformable element U-shaped bracket in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
(14) FIG. 1 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element 1, which comprises a profiled tube 2 and which is closed on one side by a plate 3. This plate 3 is arranged at the end of the profiled tube 2 at which the collision opponent strikes in case of a crash. In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the profiled tube 2 is formed with a square cross-section. The side of the profiled tube 2 that is closed with the plate 3 is also equipped with a bracket 4. The bracket 4 is formed from sheet metal and extends between opposite sides of the profiled tube 2. The bracket 4 is firmly connected, typically welded, to the profiled tube 2 at the connecting points. The bracket 4 follows a repeatedly curved shape which is formed in a double s-shape. In such cases, the course between the fastening points on the profiled tube is provided as a sequence of a convex section, followed by a concave section, followed by a further convex section. This sequence is clearly visible in FIG. 2. At its end facing away from the bracket 4, the profiled tube 2 is formed to fasten to a support component 5. Such a fastening option is not shown in further detail in FIG. 1.
(15) FIG. 2 shows by way of example and schematically a side view of a deformable element. The deformable element 1 from FIG. 2 is shown in a side view in which the shaping of the bracket 4 can be seen especially clearly. The S-shaped course of the shape of the bracket 4 begins on both sides at each fastening point with the profiled tube 2 with a forwardly arched convex section. A rearwardly arched concave section is arranged between the two convex sections. The peak (i.e., the maximum) of the concave section that faces the plate 3 does not touch the plate 3 but, instead, forms a specific distance from the plate 3.
(16) Moreover, a support component 5 is shown, to which the deformable element 1 is fastened. The deformable element 1 is oriented such that a crash occurs in the direction of the bracket 4, the terms forward and backward relate hereto. FIGS. 3 to 8 indicate the deformation of a deformable element in a computer simulation.
(17) FIG. 3 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element in a simulation, stage 1. A deformable element 1 is shown in a grid line display of a computer simulation. The deformable element 1 is formed similarly to the deformable element 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and has a substantially square profiled tube 2, a plate 3 and a bracket 4. To clarify the deformation sequence, the collision object is not shown, such an opponent is assumed to be non-deformable in FIGS. 3 to 8 and has a flat structure, in other words strikes in a two-dimensional manner and axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the deformable element. FIG. 1 shows the non-deformed state prior to striking an object.
(18) FIG. 4 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element in a simulation, stage 2. The start of the deformation is shown immediately after the collision object has struck. The peak of the concave section of the bracket 4 touches the plate 3 and begins to impress the same.
(19) FIG. 5 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element in a simulation, stage 3. The bracket 4 has already impressed the plate 3 lower and the two sides of the profiled tube 2, to which the bracket 4 is fastened, are bulged outwards by the deformation of the bracket 4. The two further opposite sides of the profiled tube 2 are inwardly curved by the deformed plate 3. On account of this initial deformation, a deformation path that corresponds to the natural bulge pattern that otherwise largely omits the required force peak can be initiated.
(20) FIG. 6 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element in a simulation, stage 4. The bracket 4 is already flattened, the exclusive progressive folding of the profiled tube 2 follows.
(21) FIG. 7 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element in a simulation, stage 5. The deformation path occurs exclusively in the profiled tube 2. The bracket 4 no longer takes part in any further deformation.
(22) FIG. 8 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element in a simulation, stage 6. Further along the deformation path, the sides walls of the profiled tube 2 already have two folds each.
(23) FIG. 9 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element with a U-shaped bracket. That is, a deformable element 1 with a U-shaped bracket 4 is shown. The further components, such as the hollow tube 2 and the plate 3, correspond to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
(24) FIG. 10 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element with a U-shaped bracket in a side view. Here, the deformable element 1 from FIG. 9 is shown in a side view in which the U-shape of the bracket 4 is especially clear. Moreover, a support component 5 is shown, to which the deformable element 1 is fastened.
(25) FIG. 11 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element in a simulation, stage 1. A deformable element 1 is shown in a grid line display of a computer simulation. The deformable element 1 is formed similarly to the deformable element 1 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and has a substantially square profiled tube 2, a plate 3 and a U-shaped bracket 4. To clarify the deformation sequence, the collision object is not shown, such an object is assumed to be non-deformable in FIGS. 9 to 10 and has a flat structure, in other words strikes in a two-dimensional manner and axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the deformable element. FIG. 1 shows the non-deformed state prior to striking the object.
(26) FIG. 12 shows by way of example and schematically a deformable element in a simulation, stage 2. The deformable element from FIG. 11 is shown in the next stage of the deformation path. Here, the U-shaped bracket 4 is deformed by striking the collision object such that it has a double s-shaped path. The further deformation path follows the path shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 with a double s-shaped bracket. It is thus possible to dispense with a display of an equivalent path.
(27) Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
