DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical engineering. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a collision protection device for vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Vehicles are a part of everyday life for most the individuals around the world. Over the years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of individuals using vehicles. At the same time, the number of accidents caused due to vehicle collisions has increased at an alarming rate. These accidents may cause major or even fatal injuries to the occupants of the vehicle. Hence, human safety has become an important design parameter during vehicle development.
Automotive manufacturers are particularly concerned with the vehicle safety during front end collisions on account of its tendency to cause an extensive intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Intrusion into the passenger compartment substantially increases the risk of major or even fatal injuries to the occupants within the vehicles. The recent trend has been towards the establishment of increasingly stringent standards regarding passenger safety measures in order to ensure higher levels of passenger protection within the vehicles. Automotive manufacturers have developed crash protection devices that are disposed on an operative front end of the vehicle for providing safety during head-on collisions.
These conventional crash protection devices, such as frames, are disposed on the operative front end of the vehicle chassis. However, during impact, the conventional devices experience an improper and an un-controlled deformation resulting in ineffective dissipation of the energy generated during the impact. Due to the improper and un-controlled deformation of the conventional devices, the energy is transferred to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, thereby resulting in unsafe travel conditions for the occupants travelling within the vehicle.
Accordingly, there is need for a collision protection device for a vehicle that enables an efficient dissipation of the impact energy generated during the collision of the vehicle. Further, there is need for a collision protection device for a vehicle that prevents the transmission of the impact energy of the collision to the passenger compartment, thereby providing a relatively safer travel conditions for the passengers commuting there-within. Furthermore, there is a need for a collision protection device for a vehicle that can be easily mounted or retrofitted on different vehicles.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a collision protection device for a vehicle that enables an efficient dissipation of the impact energy generated during the collision of the vehicle.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a collision protection device for a vehicle that prevents the transmission of the impact energy, generated during the collision of a vehicle, to the passenger compartment thereby providing relatively safer travel conditions for the occupants commuting there-within.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a collision protection device for a vehicle that can be easily mounted or retrofitted on vehicles.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a collision protection device for vehicles. The collision protection device comprises a first U-shaped element and a second U-shaped element. Each of the first and the second U-shaped elements have an operative front section that is deformable, and an operative base section that is relatively less deformable as compared with the operative front section. The first U-shaped element and the second U-shaped element are juxtaposed and coupled with each other, such that the operative front section of the first U-shaped element is adjacent to the operative front section of the second U-shaped element, and the operative base section of the first U-shaped element is adjacent to the operative base section of the second U-shaped element, thereby forming a boxlike structure. In the coupled configuration, the first U-shaped element and the second U-shaped element are configured to deform and dissipate impact energy in case of a vehicle collision. The collision protection device further comprises a flange portion extending from the first U-shaped element and the second U-shaped element. The flange portion facilitates the assembly of the collision protection device onto the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The disclosure will now be explained in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a collision protection device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2a illustrates another isometric view of the collision protection device of Figure 1;
Figure 2b illustrates a side view of the collision protection device of Figure 1, wherein the collision protection device is disposed on a vehicle;
Figure 3a illustrates a side view of the collision protection device of Figure 2a before the vehicle collision; and
Figure 3b illustrates a side view of the collision protection device of Figure 2a after vehicle collision.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A collision protection device of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments 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.
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 preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The present disclosure discloses a collision protection device for vehicles. The collision protection device for the vehicles enables a relatively efficient dissipation of energy, particularly, the impact energy generated during the collision of the vehicle, through a structured and sequential crushing of the collision protection device. The structured and sequential crushing of the collision protection device provides sufficient time for effectively dissipating the impact energy generated during the collision of the vehicle. Furthermore, the collision protection device prevents the transmission of the impact energy, generated during the collision of the vehicle, to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, thereby providing relatively safer travel conditions to the occupants commuting there-within. Furthermore, the collision protection device of the present disclosure can be easily mounted or retrofitted onto the vehicles.
Figure 1, Figure 2a, and Figure 2b illustrate the different views of the collision protection device 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The collision protection device 100 is formed by assembling a first U-shaped element 10 and a second U-shaped element 20. The second U-shaped element 20 is coupled with the first U-shaped element 10. In one embodiment, the coupling of the second U-shaped element 20 with the first U-shaped element 10 is achieved by welding operation. The collision protection device 100 is made of uniform thickness. Thus, the assembled collision protection device 100 is a two-piece box-like structure.
The collision protection device 100 further includes a flange portion 30 for facilitating the mounting of the collision protection device 100 onto the vehicle. More specifically, the flange portion 30 has a plurality of through-holes configured thereon for facilitating the fastening of the collision protection device 100 onto the vehicle. Typically, the flange portion 30 is integral with the collision protection device 100. In an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2a, the flange portion 30 has five through-holes 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, and 40e. The through-holes 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d enable the fastening of the collision protection device 100 to a chassis 50 of the vehicle. The through-hole 40e enables the fastening of the collision protection device 100 to a front panel 60 of the vehicle. The chassis 50 and the front panel 60 are connected to the vehicle long member 70.
The collision protection device 100 is formed by the coupling of the first U-shaped element 10 with the second U-shaped element 20. More specifically, the first U-shaped element 10 is welded to the second U-shaped element 20.
The first U-shaped element 10 has an operative front section 10a and an operative base section 10b. The operative front section 10a, during a collision, strikes an obstacle such as a vehicle, wall, and the like. The operative base section 10b is detachably coupled, typically by means of fasteners, to the vehicle. The operative front section 10a of the first U-shaped element 10 is deformable and the operative base section 10b of the first U-shaped element 10 is relatively less deformable. An operative top of the operative base section 10b of the first U-shaped element 10 has a stepped configuration, wherein at least two steps are configured on the operative top to sequential crushing and time delay in crushing to enable the crushing of the collision protection device 100 in multiple stages in case of collision. .
Similarly, the second U-shaped element 20 has an operative front section 20a and an operative base section 20b. The operative front section 20a, during a collision, strikes an obstacle such as a vehicle, wall, and the like. The operative base section 20b is detachably coupled, typically by means of fasteners, to the vehicle. The operative front section 20a of the second U-shaped element 20 is deformable and the operative base section 20b of the second U-shaped element 20 is relatively less deformable. An operative bottom of the operative base section 20b of the second U-shaped element 20 has a stepped configuration, wherein at least one step is configured on the operative bottom sequential crushing and time delay in crushing to enable the crushing of said collision protection device in multiple stages in case of collision.
The first U-shaped element 10 and the second U-shaped element 20 are juxtaposed and coupled with each other, such that the operative front section 10a of the first U-shaped element 10 is adjacent to the operative front section 20a of the second U-shaped element 20, and the operative base section 10b of the first U-shaped element 10 is adjacent to the operative base section 20b of the second U-shaped element 20, thereby forming a box-like structure. Such a configuration results in the formation a deformable operative front portion and a relatively less deformable operative base portion of the collision protection device 100. In the coupled configuration, the first U-shaped element 10 and the second U-shaped element 20 are configured to deform and dissipate impact energy in case of a vehicle collision.
Typically, the collision protection device 100 is disposed on the operative back portion of the front bumper (not shown in Figures) for counter-acting the energy at the time of collision. The collision protection device 100 has a gradually increasing a cross section from the operative front section 10a, 20a towards the operative base section 10b, 20b, of the first U-shaped element 10 and the second U-shaped element 20, and hence the operative front section 10a, 20a is comparatively weaker than the operative base section 10b, 20b.
During collision of the vehicle, the operative front sections 10a, 20a of the first U-shaped element 10 and the second U-shaped element 20 are adapted to deform readily, thereby dissipating a significant amount impact energy. The operative base sections 10b, 20b of the first U-shaped element 10 and the second U-shaped element 20 are relatively less deformable. The combination of the easily deformable operative front sections 10a, 20a and relatively less deformable operative base sections 10b, 20b provides a sequential and controlled deformation of the collision protection device 100, thereby resulting in an efficient dissipation of the impact energy involved in the collision. Such efficient dissipation of the impact energy reduces the amount of the impact energy that is being transferred to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, thereby providing relatively safer travel conditions to the occupants of the vehicle. The structural configuration of the collision protection device 100 enables the dissipation of the impact energy by crushing the collision protection device 100 instead of directly transferring the impact energy to the passenger compartment. Also, the sequential deformation of the collision protection device 100 prevents the rolling over of the vehicle during a collision.
Figure 3a illustrates the collision protection device 100 before the crash/collision of the vehicle. Figure 3b illustrates the collision protection device 100 after the crash/collision of the vehicle, wherein the collision protection device 100 has significantly absorbed and dissipated the impact energy generated during the collision. ‘X’ represents the initial length of the collision protection device 100 and ‘Y’ represents the length after collision.
Typically, the collision protection device 100 is connected to the operative front portion of the vehicle for protecting the vehicle during frontal collision. The first U-shaped element 10 and the second U-shaped element 20 of the collision protection device 100 are separately manufactured and then assembled. As such, the collision protection device 100 is easy to manufacture. The collision protection device 100 also meets the occupant safety parameters and also assists in meeting AIS0006 criteria for the front radiator mount arrangement.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a collision protection device that:
• enables an efficient dissipation of the impact energy generated during the collision of the vehicle;
• prevents the transmission of the impact energy, generated during the collision of a vehicle, to a passenger compartment thereby providing relatively safer travel conditions for the passengers commuting there-within; and
• can be easily mounted and retrofitted on vehicles.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the invention to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the invention as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the invention, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:1. A collision protection device for vehicles, said collision protection device comprising:
• a first U-shaped element and a second U-shaped element, each having:
- an operative front section that is deformable; and
- an operative base section that is relatively less deformable as compared with said operative front section, wherein said first U-shaped element and said second U-shaped element are juxtaposed and coupled with each other such that said operative front section of said first U-shaped element is adjacent to said operative front section of said second U-shaped element and said operative base section of said first U-shaped element is adjacent to said operative base section of said second U-shaped element, thereby forming a hollow box-like structure, and wherein, in the coupled configuration, said first U-shaped element and said second U-shaped element are configured to deform and dissipate impact energy in case of vehicle collision; and
• a flange portion extending from said first U-shaped element and said second U-shaped element, said flange portion facilitates the assembly of said collision protection device on the vehicle.
2. The collision protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first U-shaped element is welded to said second U-shaped element.
3. The collision protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an operative top of said operative base section of said first U-shaped element has a stepped configuration, wherein at least two steps are configured on said operative top to provide sequential crushing and time delay in crushing to enable the crushing of said collision protection device in multiple stages in case of collision.
4. The collision protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an operative bottom of said operative base section of said second U-shaped element has a stepped configuration, wherein at least one step is configured on said operative bottom to provide sequential crushing and time delay in crushing to enable the crushing of said collision protection device in multiple stages in case of collision.
5. The collision protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of through-holes are configured on said flange portion to facilitate the fastening of said collision protection device on the vehicle.
6. The collision protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said collision protection device has a gradually increasing cross-section from said operative front sections towards said operative base sections of said first U-shaped elements and said second U-shaped elements.