CONTROLLED DEFORMATIONS IN METALLIC PIECES

Abstract

A metal piece for a motor vehicle has a generally elongated shape according to a longitudinal direction. The piece includes at least one edge extending according to the longitudinal direction, at the intersection of two walls of the piece, and at least one area having a mechanical strength lower than the rest of the body of the piece, wherein the at least one area is formed through local thermal control of the piece. The lower mechanical strength area of the piece undulates along the edge, extending alternatingly along each of the walls forming the edge. A method for making the metal piece is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A metal piece for a motor vehicle, the piece has a generally elongated shape according to a longitudinal direction, the piece comprising: at least one edge extending according to a longitudinal direction, at the intersection of two walls of the piece, and at least one area of the piece having a mechanical strength lower than the rest of the piece, wherein the at least one area (100) is formed through local thermal control of the piece, wherein the at least one lower mechanical strength area is arranged undulating along the edge, extending alternatingly along each of the walls forming the edge.

2.-3. (canceled)

4. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein the at least one area having a mechanical strength lower than the rest of the piece has a yield limit more than 10% lower than the rest of the piece.

5. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein the at least one area having a mechanical strength lower than the rest of the piece has a tensile strength more than 10% lower than the rest of the piece.

6. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein the lower mechanical strength area forms a generally periodic pattern undulating along the edge.

7. The metal piece according to claim 6, wherein a period of the generally periodic pattern undulating along the edge is constant.

8. The metal piece according to claim 6, wherein a period of the generally periodic pattern undulating along the edge is not constant along a length of the piece.

9. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein the lower mechanical strength area is formed by a continuous band of low mechanical strength along the edge.

10. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein the lower mechanical strength area is formed by a series of successive intervals of low mechanical strength.

11. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein the lower mechanical strength area is formed by a succession of low mechanical strength bands distributed along the edge, wherein two successive low mechanical strength bands are separated by a higher mechanical strength intermediate area.

12. The metal piece according to claim 1, further comprising: at least two edges extending according to the longitudinal direction, each at the intersection of two respective walls between which a common wall between the two edges is provided, and a lower mechanical strength area undulating along each of the two edges, extending alternatingly along each of the walls forming the edge.

13. The metal piece according to claim 12, wherein the patterns of the low mechanical strength areas undulating along each of the two adjacent edges are in phase.

14. The metal piece according to claim 12, wherein the patterns of the low mechanical strength areas undulating along each of the two adjacent edges are opposite in phase.

15. The metal piece according to claim 12, wherein the lower mechanical strength area along at least one edge is a periodic profile selected from the group comprising an undulated sinusoidal, square, triangular or saw tooth shape.

16.-17. (canceled)

18. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein the lower mechanical strength area forms a generally periodic pattern undulating along the edge, wherein the generally periodic pattern has a half period ranging from 0.2×b to 1×b, wherein b corresponds to a greatest distance between opposite walls of the piece.

19.-20. (canceled)

21. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein at least one low mechanical strength area has a tensile strength of less than 1000 MPa as compared to the rest of the piece, which has a tensile strength of at least 1300 MPa.

22. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein at least one lower mechanical strength area has a yield limit of less than 950 MPa as compared to the rest of the piece, which has a yield limit of at least 1000 MPa.

23.-28. (canceled)

29. The metal piece according to claim 1, wherein the piece comprises a plurality of edges and the lower mechanical strength area is arranged undulating along only one edge.

30.-31. (canceled)

32. A method of making a metal piece according to claim 1, comprising: a step of treating at least one portion of an untreated piece having the walls and the at least one edge, the treating of the untreated piece locally reducing the mechanical strength of an area of the untreated piece to form the low mechanical strength area of the piece, the-portion treated forming the at least one lower mechanical strength area arranged undulating along the edge, extending alternatingly along each of the walls forming the edge, and the at least one treated portion covering alternatingly each of the walls on both sides of the edge.

33.-34. (canceled)

35. A method according to claim 32, wherein the locally reducing the mechanical strength is performed by applying a laser beam, wherein a laser beam spot size is adjusted during the application of the laser beam.

36. A method according to claim 32, wherein the locally reducing the mechanical strength is performed using an inductor.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Further features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following, merely illustrative and non-limiting description, and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1 e, 1f, 1g, 1h and 1i show fragmentary perspective views of 9 non-limiting geometry examples of the piece which may be used in the context of the present invention,

[0049] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show three alternative examples of cross section of pieces whose geometry is shown in FIG. 1c,

[0050] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show a perspective view of a metal piece according to three embodiments of the invention,

[0051] FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d show four periodic profile variants delimiting one edge of the lower mechanical strength area extending along one edge according to the invention,

[0052] FIG. 7 shows curves illustrating comparatively the energy absorbed during deformation in a common piece well-known in the art comprising a low mechanical strength area in its entire cross section, shown in FIG. 9a before being deformed and in FIG. 9b after being deformed, and the energy absorbed during deformation of a piece according to the invention comprising a low mechanical strength area distributed along one edge in a periodic profile, shown in FIG. 10a before being deformed and in FIG. 10b after being deformed,

[0053] FIG. 8 shows comparative curves illustrating the force generated as a function of the deformation amplitude of the same pieces, respectively of a common piece well-known in the art comprising a low mechanical strength area in its entire cross section, shown in FIG. 9a before being deformed and in FIG. 9b after being deformed, and a piece according to the invention comprising a low mechanical strength area distributed along one edge in a periodic profile, shown in FIG. 10a before being deformed and in FIG. 10b after being deformed,

[0054] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are perspective views showing three embodiments of pieces according to the invention,

[0055] FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 show four variants of low mechanical strength band profiles according to the invention,

[0056] FIG. 18 diagrammatically shows a piece cross section and illustrates the amplitude b corresponding to the greatest distance between two opposite walls,

[0057] FIG. 19 illustrates a particular example of a piece of the present invention, while

[0058] FIG. 20 shows the deformation obtained from the same piece in a longitudinal tension,

[0059] FIGS. 21 and 22 comparatively represent low strength bands according to the invention corresponding to the respective multiples of the base wave length,

[0060] FIG. 23 illustrates the distribution of a low mechanical strength band respectively in two adjacent sides of a piece according to the invention, that is, between these two sides,

[0061] FIG. 24 illustrates an enlarged view of the same layout,

[0062] FIG. 25 illustrates the covering extent of one side of a piece according to the invention by the low mechanical strength areas,

[0063] FIG. 26 shows an alternative embodiment according to the present invention where the lower mechanical strength area undulating along one edge, extending predominantly alternately on each of the walls forming said edge, is formed by a series of low mechanical strength successive intervals,

[0064] FIG. 27 diagrammatically shows a variant of the piece according to the present invention having a cross section varying along the length of the piece, which increases gradually from one end to another, including, among others,

[0065] FIG. 28 diagrammatically shows a further variant of the piece according to the present invention centered in a non-rectilinear, primary connecting axis, and

[0066] FIGS. 29a and 29b show each and example of a laser system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] In general, the pieces of the invention are made from a flat metal blank.

[0068] Said pieces are drawn so as to obtain a straight cross section, perpendicular to a primary longitudinal axis A-A (corresponding to a primary axis of elongation or “primary connecting axis”), which depends on the selected application. This cross section may be implemented in numerous configurations.

[0069] As indicated above, the pieces generally comprise fastening means and mounting interfaces, for example, including, among others, in the shape of fastening holes formed in the flanges.

[0070] On the other hand, the pieces of the invention have at least one low mechanical strength area where the tensile strength is less than 1000 MPa as compared to the rest of the piece having a mechanical strength (tensile strength) of at least 1300 MPa, preferably higher than 1400 MPa, the low mechanical strength area being delimited by a pattern undulating along a longitudinal edge, extending predominantly alternately on each of the two walls forming said edge.

[0071] According to a further advantageous feature of the invention, the pieces have at least one low mechanical strength area whose yield limit is less than 950 MPa as compared to the rest of the piece having a yield limit of at least 1000 MPa, preferably higher than 1150 MPa, the low mechanical strength area being delimited by a pattern undulating along a longitudinal edge extending predominantly alternately on each of the two walls forming said edge.

[0072] The pieces according to the invention, illustrated in the figures enclosed herein, preferably have a constant cross section along its length corresponding, for example, to the representation in one of the FIGS. 1 to 2 enclosed herein. However, according to an alternative embodiment, the cross section of the pieces may vary along the length of the pieces as shown in FIG. 27.

[0073] On the other hand, the pieces of the invention can be centered on a primary longitudinal axis AA or primary connecting axis, which is rectilinear or not as shown in FIG. 28.

[0074] One example of a generally hat-shaped piece according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1a enclosed herein, comprising a U-shaped body 12 having a core 10 forming a bottom of the piece and two walls 20, 22 generally orthogonal to the core 10 and forming the walls. Side flanges 30, 32 extend generally orthogonally to the walls 20, 22 and therefore generally parallel to the bottom of the piece 10, outwards. The bottom 10 is connected to the walls 20, 22 by their respective edges 11, 13. The walls 20, 22 are connected to the flanges 30, 32 through their respective edges 21, 23. In the context of the invention, at least one low mechanical strength area is formed in the piece shown in FIG. 1a undulating along at least one of the edges 11, 13, 21 or 23, extending predominantly alternately on each of the walls forming said edge.

[0075] The variant illustrated in FIG. 1b differs from FIG. 1a only by the provision of a cover plate 40 which is supported by and is attached to the flanges 30 and 32 thereby covering the opening of the U-shaped body 12.

[0076] One variant according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1c wherein the piece is a tubular piece comprising, with this example being non limiting, a straight cross section defined by four generally planar walls 10, 20, 22 and 50 respectively parallel and orthogonal in pairs and connected together in pairs by the edges 11, 13, 21 or 23. Again, in the context of the invention, at least one low mechanical strength area is formed in the piece illustrated in FIG. 1c undulating along at least one of the edges 11, 13, 21 or 23, predominantly extending alternately on each of the walls forming said edge. FIG. 2a, corresponding to FIG. 1c, shows a square cross section with four walls 10, 20, 22 and 50 and thus four edges 11, 13, 21 or 23. FIG. 2b shows a variant of the tubular piece of this type of hexagonal section comprising six walls 10, 20, 22, 50, 52 and 54 and connected in pairs by six edges 11, 13, 21, 23, 25, 27 and FIG. 2c shows a further variant of an octagonal tubular piece which comprises eight walls 10, 20, 22, 50, 54, 56 and 58 connected in pairs by eight edges 11, 13, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27.

[0077] One alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 1d according to which the piece of the present invention is formed by assembling two blanks of the type shown in FIG. 1a, mounted facing each other and attached by their flanges in mutual contact in pairs. As shown in FIG. 1d, the elements of the two blanks have the same reference numerals as those as in FIG. 1a, however they are associated respectively with an a or b index.

[0078] One alternative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 1e according to which the piece according to the present invention is formed by assembling two blanks L comprising two mutually orthogonal walls 10a and 20a, 10b and 20b, respectively, one of the walls 20a, 20b extending outwards through a flange 30a, 30b parallel to the other wall 10a, 10b and being supported by and attached to said other wall 10b, 10a of the piece. The walls 10a and 20a, 10b and 20b, are respectively connected together by one edge 11a, 11 b and the flanges 30a, 30b are connected to the walls 20a, 20b by edges 21a, 21b. Again, in the context of the invention, at least one low mechanical strength area is formed in the piece illustrated in FIG. 1e undulating along at least one of the edges 11a, 11b, 21a and 21b extending predominantly alternately on each of the walls forming said shaped edge.

[0079] The variant illustrated in FIG. 1f differs from FIG. 1e by the presence of a displacement or movement 31a, 31b between the bodies of the wall 10a, 10b and the end thereof as it rests on the flange 30b, 30a on one side, wherein the end thus constitutes a second flange 32a, 32b. Similarly, one edge 13a, 13b is formed between the wall body 10a, 10b and the displacement or movement 31a, 31b, an another edge 23a, 23b is formed between the displacement or movement 31a, 31b and the associated flange 32a, 32b. Again, in the context of the invention, at least one low mechanical strength area is formed in the piece shown in FIG. 1f undulating along at least one of the edges 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b, or 13a, 13b, 23a, 23b extending predominantly alternately on each of the walls forming said edge.

[0080] According to one embodiment shown in FIG. 1g, the piece comprises a U-shaped body 12 comprising a core 10 forming a bottom of the piece and two walls 20, 22 substantially orthogonal to the core 10 and forming the walls. The bottom of the piece 10 is connected to the walls 20, 22 by their respective edges 11, 13. In the context of the invention, at least one low mechanical strength area is formed in the piece shown in FIG. 1g undulating along at least one of the edges 11 or 13 predominantly extending alternately on each of the walls forming said edge.

[0081] The variant illustrated in FIG. 1h differs from FIG. 1g by the presence of a cover plate 60 covering the opening of the U-shaped body 12. According to FIG. 1h, the cover plate 60 has a U-shaped geometry with a concavity facing outwards the piece. It is fixed by its side walls on the inner sides of the walls 20, 22 near their free ends. The connecting areas 61, 62 between the cover plate 60 and the walls 20, 22 are similar to the edges. At least one low mechanical strength area is also formed in the piece shown in FIG. 1h undulating along at least one of the edges 11 or 13 or 61, 62 extending predominantly alternately on each of the walls forming said edge.

[0082] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1i differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1f in that displacements or movements 31a, 31b are replaced by a simple edge 13a, 13b and thereby the flanges 30a, 32b and 30b, 32a are delimited, they do not extend parallel to the bottom of the pieces 10a and 10b as in FIGS. 1e and 1f, but according to the plane passing through a diagonal of the piece passing through the edges 13a, 13b.

[0083] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two examples of metal pieces P according to the invention, extending generally according to a longitudinal axis or “primary connecting axis” A and comprises a tubular cross section defined by four generally planar walls 10, 20, 22 and 50, respectively parallel and orthogonal in pairs. Each pair of adjacent walls 10, 20, 22, and 50, defining at their intersection one edge 11, 13, 21, 23 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A, as noted above with respect to FIG. 1c.

[0084] Each of the metal pieces P illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises at least one area 100 of a mechanical strength lower than the rest of the body. More specifically, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, four lower mechanical strength areas 100 are formed undulating respectively along each of the edges 11, 13, 21 or 23, extending predominantly alternately on each of the walls 10, 20, 22 and 50 forming said edges 11, 13, 21 or 23.

[0085] The low mechanical resistance areas 100 are formed for example by local thermal control during drawing of the piece P or by other equivalent technique, for example through local thermal control of the piece by applying a laser beam or by induction.

[0086] The low mechanical resistance areas 100 may be selected to change the microstructure e.g. increasing ductility. The selection of the low mechanical resistance areas 100 may be based on crash testing or simulation test although some other methods to select the low mechanical resistance areas 100 may be possible. The low mechanical resistance areas 100 may be defined by simulation in order to determine the most advantageous crash behavior or better energy absorptions in a simple part e.g. a rail. The laser beam (not shown) may be applied onto the selected low mechanical resistance areas 100 using a laser system. In some examples, the laser spot size may be adjusted during the application of the laser beam and it may be adapted to the height and/or width of the low mechanical resistance areas 100, thus the time-consuming change of the optic of the laser system after each application of the laser may be avoided.

[0087] This way, the shape of low mechanical resistance areas 100 may be obtained with only one optic of the laser system, while adjusting the laser spot size. As a consequence, the investment in tools may be reduced as well as the maintenance cost. The manufacturing time may be reduced as well. Furthermore, the variation of the spot may reduce the transition zones at the starting and the final points of the low mechanical resistance areas 100.

[0088] The laser beam may be regulated based on some parameters e.g. temperature measured in the low mechanical resistance areas 100 using a thermometer, e.g. a pyrometer or a camera, to measure high temperatures, thus maintaining the temperature of the laser beam spot. The low mechanical resistance areas may be made having different shapes and having different applications e.g. flanges, small or large spots, complex geometric shapes.

[0089] In the context of the present invention, the treatment may be a treatment that locally reduces the mechanical strength of an area of the piece to form the low mechanical strength areas 100, a treatment that locally increases the mechanical strength of the body of the piece except for the desired low mechanical strength areas 100, or a combination of these two types of treatment.

[0090] The metal pieces P thus comprise at least one low mechanical strength area 100 and at least one high mechanical strength area 150 corresponding to the rest of the body.

[0091] The low mechanical strength areas 100 have a low mechanical strength (tensile strength) of less than 1100 MPa, typically ranging from 500 to 1000 MPa, while the high mechanical strength areas 150 have a mechanical strength (tensile strength) higher than 1100 MPa, preferably at least equal to 1300 MPa and typically above 1400 MPa.

[0092] The low mechanical strength areas 100 are formed for example through local control of the drawing temperature of piece P. The piece P is heated to a temperature range suitable for obtaining an austenite phase, then it is drawn in a stamping tool adapted to define different temperatures in different areas of the drawn piece, for example through local recesses formed in the stamping tool or by local overheating of the stamping tool. According to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the low mechanical strength areas 100 extend along one edge 11, 13, 21 or 23, alternatively on each of the walls 10, 20, 22 and 50 forming said edge, so as to form a generally periodic pattern along said edge.

[0093] More specifically, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the areas 100 are in a periodic sinusoidal arrangement. Thus, they are delimited on the one hand by a rectilinear edge corresponding to a respective edge 11, 13, 21 or 23 and the other hand by a sinusoid undulating at both sides of the edges 11, 13, 21 or 23.

[0094] However, the invention is not limited to this arrangement. It may be extended to other types of periodic profile. Four variants of periodic profiles of the present invention are for example illustrated respectively in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d, having respectively a sinusoidal, square, triangular or saw tooth shape.

[0095] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the patterns of the low mechanical strength areas 100 are arranged continuously extending along edges 11, 13, 21 or 23. According to a diagrammatic embodiment in FIG. 13, the patterns extend discontinuously along the edges 11, 13, 21 or 23. Thus, according to the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, each band of the low mechanical strength area 100 covers a wave length and a half of the sinusoidal profile and two bands of successive areas 100 are separated by a half wave length.

[0096] In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, all the patterns of the low mechanical strength areas 100 formed under the edges 11, 13, 21 or 23 have the same period T.

[0097] According to a variant (not shown), the patterns of the low mechanical strength areas 100 under the edges 11, 13, 21 or 23 may be of different periods T.

[0098] The half period T/2 of the patterns, λ/2, preferably ranges from 0.2×b to 1×b, typically equal to 0.8×b, wherein b corresponds to the greatest distance between the walls 10 and 50 opposing the piece P as illustrated in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 corresponds to tubular member having a rectangular cross section. For a tubular piece with a number of sides greater than 4, the distance b corresponds to the greatest distance between a wall and an at least substantially opposite wall. This optimization to 0.8×d allows regular location of the deformation areas along the piece P in relation to its initial configuration to be optimized. Indeed, in this case, location of the deformation areas is distributed along the piece according to a deformation natural step.

[0099] According to a variant, however, the half period T/2 of the patterns may be different from 0.8×b if, according to the above mentioned particular application, it is desired to force the deformation of the piece according to a step different from the deformation natural step.

[0100] According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the patterns for the low mechanical strength area 100 have a variable wave length.

[0101] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the patterns extending on one wall 10, 20, 22 or 50 are opposite in phase. It is understood that the interiors of the areas 100 provided for example at the edge 21 and of such a polarity in comparison with this edge 21 which are arranged in the wall 50 are respectively facing the interior of the profile provided in the edge 23 which are likewise placed on the same wall 50.

[0102] “Interior” means herein the portion of the lower mechanical strength profile, the most separated from the associated edge and/or the level at which said low mechanical strength profile is the widest.

[0103] The piece P shown in FIG. 3 further comprises additional, lower mechanical strength areas 110 extending on each of the walls 10, 20, 22 and 50 between the portions of the interior of the different patterns extending facing each other on the same wall 10, 20, 22 and 50. The additional, lower mechanical strength areas 110 are for example generally disc shaped.

[0104] According to a variant (not shown), the additional, lower mechanical strength areas 110 move longitudinally relative to the portions of the interior extending facing each other on the same wall 10, 20, 22 and 50.

[0105] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the supplementary low mechanical strength areas 110 of the same wall 10, 20, 22 and 50 are generally aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis A, and extend generally halfway from the portions of the interior extending facing each other on the same wall.

[0106] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the patterns extending in the same wall 10, 20, 22 and 50 are opposite in phase. The piece P comprises other additional, lower mechanical strength areas 110 extending transversely on each of the walls 10, 20, 22 and 50 so that the portions of the interior of the different patterns are connected to each other, extending facing each other on the same wall 10, 20, 22 and 50, but in the opposite edges 11, 13, 21 or 23.

[0107] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 is based on a piece that is shown in FIG. 1b (hat-shaped piece and cover plate assembly). In this example shown in FIG. 5, the patterns of the low mechanical strength areas 100 extending on the same wall 10, 20, 22 and 50, but they are in phase at its opposite edges 11, 13, 21 or 23. It is herein understood that the interiors of the profile provided for example at the edge 21 and that of such a polarity in comparison with this edge 21 which are arranged in the wall 50, are opposite in phase respectively to the interiors of the profile provided in the opposite edge 23 which are placed in the same way on the same wall 50. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, no provision is made for any additional area 150 in the low mechanical strength areas 100 undulating along the edges. A low mechanical strength area 100 extends on each of the edges 11, 13, 21 and 23.

[0108] The present invention relates to pieces made of steel.

[0109] It can be applied to any type of pieces involved in a motor vehicle, for example, including, among others, a B-pillar or a side beam, or a damping or energy absorption device.

[0110] Deformation transition areas are formed by the low mechanical strength areas 100 during an axial force on compression allowing the direction of the lateral deformation of the elongated piece P to be oriented, thus preventing random deformation of the pieces.

[0111] The invention allows for example side beam deformation of a cabin to face outwards and not inwards, thereby minimizing impact hazards for cabin occupants.

[0112] The invention allows mainly absorption of energy to be optimized in case of accident.

[0113] The comparative examination of curves shown in FIG. 7 shows that energy absorbed during deformation of a piece according to the invention (curve “A”) is greater than the energy absorbed during deformation of a common piece well-known in the art (curve “B”). As indicated above, the curve B represents the energy absorbed during deformation of a common piece well-known in the art comprising a low mechanical strength area in its entire cross section shown in FIG. 9a before deformation and FIG. 9b after deformation, while the curve A represents the energy absorbed during deformation of a piece according to the invention comprising a low mechanical strength area undulating along one edge, shown in FIG. 10a before deformation and FIG. 10b after deformation.

[0114] More specifically, according to the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the curve A shows that the energy absorbed by a piece of the present invention is greater, of the order of 65% of the energy absorbed by a piece according to the prior art.

[0115] The invention also allows acceleration peaks experienced by vehicle occupants in case of accident to be reduced.

[0116] As noted above, FIG. 8 illustrates curves that comparatively show the stress generated as a function of the deformation amplitude of the same pieces, showing respectively a curve B of the stress resulting from a common piece well-known in the art comprising a low mechanical strength area in its entire cross section shown in FIG. 9a before deformation and FIG. 9b after deformation, and in a curve A showing the stress resulting from a piece according to the invention comprising a low mechanical strength area undulating along one edge, shown in FIG. 10a before deformation and FIG. 10b after deformation.

[0117] The present invention is not of course limited to the above described embodiments, but it extends to any variant within its spirit.

[0118] Provision may be made for example for adding assembled reinforcements and/or reinforcing ribs located on some walls of the piece P.

[0119] The term “metal piece” in the context of the present invention is to be understood in a broad sense including both a monobloc structure with no assembly and a structure formed by assembling a plurality of initially individualized entities, but connected by the assembly.

[0120] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 11 characterized in that an undulated or periodic profile area with a lower mechanical strength undulating along a single edge 23 is provided.

[0121] FIG. 14 depicts one embodiment of a low mechanical strength area 100 undulating in a single edge 11 of a hat-shaped piece illustrated in FIG. 1a. The two boundary edges of the area 100 have a generally sinusoidal profile except for a local leveling by directrices parallel to the edge 11.

[0122] FIG. 15 depicts a further embodiment comprising a low mechanical strength area 100 undulating in each of the four edges 11, 13, 21 and 23 of one piece that is illustrated in FIG. 1a.

[0123] FIG. 16 represents a variant of FIG. 14 adapted to a piece that is illustrated in FIG. 1b according to which the low mechanical strength area 100 is discontinuous. According to the representation shown in FIG. 16, the metal piece according to the invention comprises a succession of low mechanical strength bands 100 distributed along the length of the edge 11 undulating in both sides, two successive low mechanical strength bands 100 which are separated by an intermediate higher mechanical strength area 102. More specifically, according to the representation shown in FIG. 16, the intermediate area 102 is located between two interior portions of the low mechanical strength area 100 respectively located between the two walls 20 and 50 on both sides of the edge 11.

[0124] FIG. 17 shows a variant of FIG. 16 applied to a hat-shaped piece illustrated in FIG. 1a, where the intermediate, high mechanical area 102 located between two successive low mechanical strength bands 100 is located at the level of the interiors of the low mechanical strength profile.

[0125] FIG. 19 represents a tubular piece P comprising low mechanical strength areas 100 undulating along each edge 11, 13, 21 and 23 according to a sinusoidal profile whose period is equal to 0.8×b, while FIG. 20 represents deformation obtained from the same piece in a longitudinal tension. Those skilled in the art will understand the comparative examination in FIGS. 19 and 20 when the presence of an area 100 undulating along the edges allows the folds to be arranged alternately on each of the sides of the piece. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 20, by means of this arrangement, the folds protruding outwards the piece are located alternately in the pairs of alternate opposite walls. More specifically, in FIG. 20, external folds 190 and 192 are placed in a wall 10 while external folds 191 and 193 are positioned alternately in an adjacent wall 22.

[0126] Tests conducted on a piece of this type comprising low mechanical strength areas 100 undulating along the edges have shown that, as compared with the pieces of the prior art comprising low mechanical strength rings in their entire cross section, distributed along their length, the invention allows a stress peak to be limited in case of collision at the same level as the prior art, absorbed energy to be increasing of the order of 65% without a risk of rupture of the piece during deformation.

[0127] FIGS. 21 and 22 show comparatively low mechanical strength bands according to the invention whose period corresponds to respective multiple ones of a base wave length λo. More specifically, the length of the low mechanical strength areas 100 shown in FIG. 22 is twice the period of the low mechanical strength areas 100 shown in FIG. 21. Typically, but not limited to the period of the areas 100 shown in FIG. 21, it may be equal to period λo of natural deformations of the piece, a half period of areas 100 equal to the natural half period λo/2 of the deformation of the piece, while the period of areas 100 shown in FIG. 22 is double that of FIG. 21.

[0128] As illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, according to a further advantageous feature of the invention, the lower mechanical resistance area 100 undulating along one edge, extends predominantly alternately on each of the walls forming said edge extends partially on the two walls on both sides of a common edge, with a linear distribution according to a section transversal to the primary axis of elongation A, at the level of the interior of the patterns, alternatively at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, in a first wall adjacent the edge and a maximum of 40%, preferably at least 30%, in the second wall adjacent the edge at the level of a half period of the low strength pattern, and then conversely for the next half period.

[0129] According to a further advantageous feature of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the low mechanical strength areas 100 cover a linear distribution according to a section transversal to the primary axis of elongation, at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, the width of a wall and a maximum of 80%, preferably a maximum of 60%, of this width. This arrangement allows the deformations to be optimized without weakening the part.

[0130] FIG. 26 illustrates an alternative embodiment according to the invention according to which low mechanical strength areas 100 are formed in each series of successive low mechanical strength intervals 100a, 100b, 100C, etc. whose overall contour corresponds to a profile undulating along one edge 23.

[0131] It will be understood by those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and examining the accompanying drawings that the contour of the low mechanical strength areas 100 undulating along one edge, that is, the longitudinal side edges of these areas, may be embodied in different ways within the context of the invention. Thus, according to FIGS. 3 to 5 and 11 to 13, one of the edges of the areas 100 is sinusoidal while the second edge of the areas 100 is rectilinear and corresponds to one edge of the piece. According to FIGS. 14 to 17, 19, 23, 25 and 26 the two edges of the areas 100 are generally sinusoidal and equidistant along the length of the pattern, being leveled as necessary by a directrix parallel to the edge as indicated for example in FIG. 19.

[0132] By way of non-limiting examples, the present invention especially covers low mechanical strength areas 100 corresponding to the following values:

Example 1

[0133] yield limit of 400 MPa+/−50 MPa [0134] tensile strength of 600 MPa+/−50 MPa

Example 2

[0135] yield limit from 490 MPa to 600 MPa [0136] tensile strength from 700 MPa to 800 MPa

Example 3

[0137] yield limit from 650 MPa to 750 MPa [0138] tensile strength from 850 MPa to 950 MPa
for a remainder of the body meeting following definition: [0139] yield limit of 1150 MPa+/−150 MPa [0140] tensile strength of 1550 MPa+/−150 MPa.

[0141] FIG. 29a shows schematically an example of a laser system; the laser system may have a fiber connector 1003. The fiber connector 1003 may be connected at one distal end to an optical fiber 1001.

[0142] The fiber connector 1003 may enable a quick and reliable connection and disconnection to the optical fiber 1001. The optical fiber 1001 may act as a guide for the beam of particles and waves.

[0143] A collimating unit 1005 may be provided. The collimating unit 1005 may cause the directions of motion of the laser beam to become more aligned in a specific direction.

[0144] The laser system may have a single color pyrometer 1008 although some other alternatives may be possible e.g. two color pyrometer 1007. The single color pyrometer 1008 may determine the temperature by measuring the radiation emitted from a surface at one wavelength. In this way, the power of the laser beam may be regulated taking into account the temperature.

[0145] A zoom homogenizer 1010 is also schematically shown. The zoom homogenizer may adapt the shape of the laser spot as described later on.

[0146] In alternative examples, the zoom homogenizer 1010 may be configured to be connected at the second end to a coupling unit 1020. The coupling unit 1020 may be attached to a focusing element 1011. The coupling element 1020 may be configured to be provided with an adaptor 1009. The adaptor 1009 may attached to a camera 1015 e.g. EMAQS camera. The EMAQS camera is a camera-based temperature data acquisition system although some other alternatives are possible e.g. CCD camera 1014.

[0147] In some other alternative examples, the zoom homogenizer 1010 may be configured to be connected to a single color pyrometer 1060 although some other alternatives may be possible e.g. two color pyrometer 1061. The single color pyrometer 1060 may determine the temperature by measuring the radiation emitted from a surface at one wavelength. In this way, the power of the laser beam may be regulated taking into account the temperature.

[0148] The laser system may be mounted on a robot (not shown). The robot may be mounted on the floor but some other configurations may be possible, e.g. roof mounted. The robot may be controlled by control means (not shown). An example of a robot that may be that may be employed is the robot IRB 6660 or IRB 760, available from ABB, among others.

[0149] The laser power of the laser system may be limited 20000 W.

[0150] FIG. 29b shows schematically the zoom homogenizer 1010. The zoom homogenizer 1010 may transform the beam into a shape e.g. rectangular, circular. The zoom homogenizer 1010 may be part of the laser system shown in the FIG. 29a. The zoom homogenizer 1010 may comprise a housing 1038 at least partially enclosing the laser system.

[0151] The housing 1038 may comprise a lens array 1030A, 1030B and 1030C. The lens array 1030A, 1030B and 1030C may adjust a spot of the laser beam to the width or length of the different portions of the element scanned during the application of the laser. The lens array may implement various focus lines or areas with edges lengths or width up to 180 mm. The top-hat energy distribution in the laser focus may be homogenous across the entire setting range, thus the uniform energy input across the entire setting range may be ensured. The lens array 1030A, 1030B and 1030C may be designed for laser power outputs up to 20000 W.

[0152] A gear motor 1034 may adjust the size of the laser beam spot acting on the lens array 1030A, 1030B and 1030C. The laser beam spot may be motor-adjustable on both axes. A plurality of focus sizes and ratios may be implemented using the lens array 1030A, 1030B and 1030C. The motorized movement of the lens array 1030A, 1030B and 1030C using the gear motor 1034 may enable the laser beam width or height to be dynamically adjusted. The actuation of the gear motor 1034 may enable integration into any machine control system.

[0153] The gear motor 1034 may be attached to a threaded spindle 1033. The threaded spindle 1033 may transmit the motion generated by the gear motor 1034. The threaded spindle 1033 may have attached at one distal end a spindle nut 1032. A motion control unit 1036 may be provided controlling the motion of some of the elements of the zoom homogenizer 1010 e.g. the gear motor 1034. The position or velocity of the gear motor 1034 may be controlled using some type of device such as a servo although some other options are possible e.g. a hydraulic pump, linear actuator, or electric motor.

[0154] Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.