Claims:
1. A rear impact barrier for vehicle comprising:
an impact beam;
at least two crash box structures, one side of each crash box structure mounted on either end of the impact beam and other side of each crash box structures mounted on rear of the vehicle, each crash box structure having ‘I’ shaped gusset configured therewithin for mounting the crash box structure on the impact beam,
wherein energy absorption of the impact on the impact beam is high as the displacement in the crash box with I shaped gusset is low in X direction.

2. The rear impact barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ‘I’ shaped gusset is formed by joining two C shaped brackets face to face.

3. The rear impact barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crash box bracket is single piece foldable type.

4. The rear impact barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impact beam is profiled square tube with flat faces on either ends with weld nut for bolting the crash the box.
, Description:Field of invention

The present invention relates to the field of the energy absorbing structure in vehicles and more particularly, the present invention relates to the rear impact barrier in vehicles.

Background of the invention

The performance of a vehicle’s seat back in rear impact accidents can significantly affect occupant kinematics and resulting injury potential. The rear impact accidents are increasing day by day and the present impact absorbing structures are not able to effectively absorb the energy and thus resulting in occupant injuries and also damage to the vehicle.

US Patent No. 6056337 discloses an impact energy absorption structure for a vehicle, comprises left and right front frames having a closed section; left and right L-shaped stay members connected at a lower end thereof with the left and right front frames respectively and having left and right upper ends projected upward above the left and right front frame; and a bent member curved convexly in the forward direction of the vehicle and transversely connected at left and right ends thereof with the left and right upper ends respectively.

However, the impact absorbing structure of the prior art are made vehicle specific and are also not capable of efficiently absorbing the impact. Further, the construction of the impact absorbing structure is complex and involves manufacturing difficulties.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a simple and efficient rear impact barrier assembly which overcomes above-mentioned drawbacks.

Objects of the present invention

An object of this invention is to provide a barrier assembly for efficient absorption of the energy produced by a rear impact on the vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost effective barrier assembly for absorbing energy by rear impact on the vehicle.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a rear impact barrier for a vehicle. The rear impact barrier comprises an impact beam. Further, the rear impact barrier comprises at least two crash box structures. Specifically, one side of each crash box structure is mounted on either end of the impact beam and other side of each crash box structures is mounted rear of the vehicle. Further, each crash box includes a mounting provision in the form of ‘I’ shaped gusset for mounting the crash box on the impact beam. Specifically, absorption of the impact on the impact beam is high as the displacement in the crash box with I Section is low in X direction.

Typically, wherein ‘I’ shaped gusset reinforcement is formed by joining two C shaped brackets face to face.

Brief description of the figures

The objectives and features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 and 2 shows a perspective view of a rear impact barrier in vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows the rear impact barrier of figure 1 in Z-Z section; and

Figure 4 shows cross sectional view of a crash box of the rear impact barrier of figure 1; and

Figure 5 shows CAE simulation results of the energy absorption by different components of the rear impact barrier, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the present invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater depth in the accompanying figures and description herein below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views/figures.

Referring now to figure 1-4, there is shown a rear impact barrier (100) for a vehicle, in accordance with the present invention. The rear impact barrier (100) comprises an impact beam (10) and at least two crash box structures (20).

In an embodiment, the impact beam (10) is a profiled square tube. Specifically, the impact beam (10) has a slight bend of certain radius to absorb and manage energy. The profiled square tube impact beam (10) comprises flat faces on either ends as shown in figure 2. Each flat face on either end of the impact beam (10) comprises at least one crash box structure (20) secured thereto. The face of the impact beam (10) has pocket for bolting accessibility, symmetrically on the other side.

Specifically, one side of the crash box structure (20) is secured on either end of the impact beam (10) by bolting and other side of each crash box structures (20) is secured to rear of the vehicle to form a barrier for the vehicle. In an embodiment, the crash box structure (20) is single piece foldable type bracket.

Further, each crash box (20) includes a mounting provision in the form of ‘I’ shapes gusset (22) configured therewithin for mounting the crash box (20) on the impact beam (10).

In an embodiment, the ‘I’ shaped reinforcement gusset (22) is formed by connecting the two C shaped brackets face to face. Specifically, the connection is by means of welding the C shaped brackets. The ‘I’ shaped reinforcement gusset (22) is provided with weld nut at rear face of the bracket for bolting the same to the flat faces on either ends of the impact beam.

The rear impact barrier (100) assembly having the impact beam (10) and at least two crash box structures (20) is secured to rear of the vehicle to avoid damages to the vehicle in case of collision of accident.

The energy absorption of the impact on the impact beam (10) is high as the displacement in the crash box (20) with I Section gusset (22) is low in X direction.

Figure 4 of the present invention illustrates CAE simulation results of the energy absorption by different components of the rear impact barrier (100). It is also to be noted that without I section gusset (22) the displacement in X direction is considerably high.

Advantages of the invention
1. The rear impact barrier (100) allows less amount of energy to be transferred to the vehicle, thus no major damage to the structure of the vehicle.
2. The rear impact barrier (100) is easy to manufacture and assemble in the vehicle.
3. The rear impact barrier (100) provide for easy replacement of the component after collision.

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.