DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202241031517 filed on 1st June 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to impact management systems in vehicles and more particularly, to a system and a method for managing (absorbing/ distributing) a side pole impact of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Automotive manufacturers continuously develop impact management systems for improving structural strength of a body frame, commonly known as the body-in-white (BIW) of vehicles, especially in collisions, for example, frontal impact and side-impact collisions. The kinetic energy from the impact has to be absorbed so as to prevent the automotive structure from intruding into the passenger compartment. Also, the automotive structure should provide a load path for distributing the impact load. Many approaches have been made for improving the structural strength of the body frame to absorb the impacts during collisions or crashes, thereby reducing the risk of injuries to the passengers or occupants in the vehicle. For example, in case of side pole impact, the impact received by the side body structure of the vehicle should be absorbed and distributed to chassis long members of the vehicle. Conventional solutions for absorbing impact energy include changing material properties, changing stiffness or adding foams of different density or energy absorbing structures to absorb the impact energy. Sometimes a combination of the above solutions is also used. However, the aforementioned solutions are usually complex in design and incur high cost.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a method for managing side impact of a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS

[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a system for managing (absorbing/ distribution) a side impact (side pole impact) of a vehicle.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a system for reducing side pole impact of the vehicle, which effectively absorbs and transfers impact energy to chassis longitudinal members of the vehicle.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the side impact management system for the vehicle, which enhances safety of occupants in the vehicle.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the side impact management system which is easy to install and is inexpensive.
[008] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a bottom view of a vehicular body mounted on chassis longitudinal members, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 2 illustrates the impact energy absorber bolted to an inner portion of a sill inner panel and is located near to a corresponding chassis longitudinal member of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 3 illustrates a reinforcement member welded to an outer portion of the sill inner panel, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of the impact energy absorber, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0014] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method for managing a side impact of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a system and a method for managing (absorbing/ distribution) a side impact (side pole impact) of a vehicle. Referring now to fig. 1 through fig. 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates a bottom view of a vehicular body mounted on chassis longitudinal members (10LA, 10LB), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 illustrates the impact energy absorber (102) bolted to an inner portion (10SYA) of a sill inner panel (10SY) and is located near to a corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA) of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a plurality of impact energy absorbers (102), as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 4), a plurality of reinforcement members (104), only one of which is shown in fig. 3 and a plurality of fasteners (105), as shown in fig. 3. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the system (100) is explained herein with below reference to managing a side pole impact of a passenger vehicle. For example, the system (100) is adapted to manage the side impact energy when the vehicle comes into contact with poles, posts, trees, barricade, or any other obstacles/ objects during turning of the vehicle around them. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use or practice the components of the system (100) for managing side pole impact of any other vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of the system (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0018] Each impact energy absorber (102) is disposed below a vehicular underbody (10B), (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 3) and is positioned in between a corresponding sill inner panel (10SY) and a corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB), as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 3). Impact energy absorber (102) is connected to an inner portion (10SYA), (as shown in fig. fig. 2) of corresponding sill inner panel (10SY). Corresponding impact energy absorber (102) is adapted to deform thereby absorbing initial impact energy in event of the side impact (side pole impact) of the vehicle. The impact energy absorber (102) is adapted to transmit the impact energy to corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) when corresponding impact energy absorber (102) is deformed and engages corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) in the event of side impact (side pole impact) of the vehicle. Each impact energy absorber (102) is secured to the inner portion (10SYA) of the sill inner panel (10SY) by using the fasteners (105). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each fastener (105) is considered to be a bolt. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other fasteners in place of bolts.
[0019] Each impact energy absorber (102) is spaced at a first predetermined distance from corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB). Each impact energy absorber (102) is spaced at a second predetermined distance from vehicular underbody (10B). Each impact energy absorber (102) is parallel to corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB).
[0020] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of the impact energy absorber (102), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Each impact energy absorber (102) includes a base (102A), a pair of side walls (102B), a top wall (102C), a first horizontal wall (102D), a second horizontal wall (102E), a first vertical wall (102F), a second vertical wall (102G) and a third vertical wall (102H). Each side wall (102B) transversely extends from corresponding sides of the base (102A). The top wall (102C) extends between the side walls (102B). The first horizontal wall (102D) extends between the side walls (102B) and is disposed above the base (102A). The second horizontal wall (102E) extends between the side walls (102B) and is disposed in between the first horizontal partition wall (102D) and the top wall (102C) at predetermined distance. The first horizontal wall (102D, the second horizontal wall (102E), the base (102A) and the top wall (102C) are parallel to each other. The first vertical wall (102F) extends between the base (102B) and the first horizontal partition wall (102D) along a lengthwise direction of the impact energy absorber (102). The second vertical wall (102G) extends between the first horizontal wall (102D) and the second horizontal wall (102E) along the lengthwise direction of the impact energy absorber (102). The third vertical wall (102H) extends between the second horizontal wall (102E) and the top wall (102C) along the lengthwise direction of the impact energy absorber (102). The first vertical wall (102F), the second vertical wall (102G) and the third vertical wall (102H) are co-planar to each other. Each impact energy absorber (102) is made of aluminium. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each impact energy absorber (102) to be made of any other metallic material or any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the impact energy absorber (102) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0021] Each reinforcement member (104) is disposed between corresponding sill inner panel (10SY) and a corresponding sill outer panel (10SZ), as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2. Each reinforcement member (104) is connected to an outer portion (10SYB), (as shown in fig. 3) of corresponding sill inner panel (10SY). Corresponding reinforcement member (104) is adapted to transmit impact energy to corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) through corresponding impact energy absorber (102). Each reinforcement member (104) is connected to the outer portion (10SYB) of corresponding sill inner panel (10SY) by welding. Each reinforcement member (104) is made of steel. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each reinforcement member (104) to be made of any other metallic material or any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the reinforcement member (104) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0022] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (200) for managing a side impact (side pole impact) of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (202), the method (200) includes, transmitting, by corresponding reinforcement member (104), impact energy received by a corresponding sill outer panel (10SZ) to a corresponding impact energy absorber (102) in event of side impact (side pole impact) of the vehicle. At step (204), the method (200) includes, deforming, by the corresponding impact energy absorber (102) to absorb the impact energy received by the corresponding sill outer panel (10SZ) of the vehicle in event of the side impact of the vehicle.
[0023] At step (206), the method (200) includes, transmitting, by corresponding impact energy absorber (102), the impact energy to a corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) when corresponding impact energy absorber (102) is deformed and engages with corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) in event of the side impact of the vehicle.
[0024] Further, the method (200) includes, removably connecting, by fasteners (105), each impact energy absorber (102) to an inner portion (10SYA) of a corresponding sill inner panel (10SY). Furthermore, the method (200) includes, welding each reinforcement member (104) with corresponding sill outer panel (10SZ).
[0025] The technical advantages of the system (100) for managing side impact of the vehicle are as follows. The system (100) enhances safety of occupants in the vehicle. The system (100) is easy to install and is inexpensive.
[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim;
1. A system (100) for managing side impact of a vehicle, said system (100) comprising:
a plurality of impact energy absorbers (102A, 102B), wherein each of said impact energy absorber (102) is disposed below a vehicular underbody (10B) and is positioned in between a corresponding sill inner panel (10SY) and a corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said impact energy absorber (102) is connected to an inner portion (10SYA) of corresponding said sill inner panel (10SY); and
corresponding said impact energy absorber (102) is adapted to deform thereby absorbing initial impact energy in an event of a side impact (side pole impact) of the vehicle.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein corresponding said impact energy absorber (102) is adapted to transmit the impact energy to corresponding said chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) when corresponding said impact energy absorber (102) is deformed and engages corresponding said chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) in the event of side impact (side pole impact) of the vehicle.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said system (100) includes a plurality of reinforcement members (104), wherein each of said reinforcement member (104) is disposed between corresponding said sill inner panel (10SY) and a corresponding sill outer panel (10SZ),
wherein
each of said reinforcement member (104) is connected to an outer portion (10SYB) of corresponding said sill inner panel (10SY); and
corresponding said reinforcement member (104) is adapted to transmit impact energy to corresponding said chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) through corresponding said impact energy absorber (102) in the event of side impact (side pole impact) of the vehicle.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said impact energy absorber (102) is secured to said inner portion (10SYA) of corresponding said sill inner panel (10SY) by using fasteners (105);
each of said impact energy absorber (102) is spaced at a first predetermined distance from corresponding said chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB);
each of said impact energy absorber (102) is spaced at a second predetermined distance from said vehicular underbody (10B);
each of said impact energy absorber (102) is parallel to corresponding said chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB); and
each of said reinforcement member (104) is connected to said outer portion (10SYB) of corresponding said sill inner panel (10SY) by welding.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said impact energy absorber (102) includes,
a base (102A);
a pair of side walls (102B), wherein each of said side wall (102B) transversely extends from corresponding sides of said base (102A);
a top wall (102C) extending between said side walls (102B);
a first horizontal wall (102D) extending between said side walls (102B) and is disposed above said base (102A);
a second horizontal wall (102E) extending between said side walls (102B) and is disposed in between said first horizontal partition wall (102D) and said top wall (102C) at predetermined distance;
a first vertical wall (102F) extending between said base (102B) and said first horizontal partition wall (102D) along a lengthwise direction of said impact energy absorber (102);
a second vertical wall (102G) extending between first horizontal wall (102D) and said second horizontal wall (102E) along the lengthwise direction of said impact energy absorber (102); and
a third vertical wall (102H) extending between second horizontal wall (102E) and said top wall (102C) along the lengthwise direction of said impact energy absorber (102).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said impact energy absorber (102) is made of aluminium;
each of said reinforcement member (104) is made of steel;
said first horizontal wall (102D, said second horizontal wall (102E), said base (102A) and said top wall (102C) are parallel to each other; and
said first vertical wall (102F), said second vertical wall (102G) and said third vertical wall (102H) are co-planar to each other.

8. A method (200) for managing side impact of a vehicle, said method (200) comprising:
deforming, by a corresponding impact energy absorber (102) to absorb impact energy received by a corresponding sill outer panel (10SZ) of the vehicle in an event of a side impact of the vehicle; and
transmitting, by corresponding said impact energy absorber (102), the impact energy to a corresponding chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) when corresponding said impact energy absorber (102) is deformed and engages with corresponding said chassis longitudinal member (10LA, 10LB) in event of the side impact of the vehicle.

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said method (200) includes transmitting, by corresponding reinforcement member (104), the impact energy received by corresponding said sill outer panel (10SZ) to corresponding said impact energy absorber (102) in event of the side impact (side pole impact) of the vehicle prior to said deforming, by corresponding said impact energy absorber (102) to absorb the impact energy received by corresponding said sill outer panel (10SZ).

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (200) includes,
removably connecting, by fasteners (105), each of said impact energy absorber (102) to an inner portion (10SYA) of a corresponding sill inner panel (10SY); and
welding each of said reinforcement member (104) with corresponding said sill outer panel (10SZ).