Citation

ger M, Popp K. Int. J. Crashworthiness 1999; 4(4): 365-378.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In cars, often special changeable energy absorber units are used in order to reduce repair costs attributed from minor accidents. These kinds of absorber units are cheap and easy to change at low cost. Thus, one of the solutions showing such affordable energy absorbers is presented herein as a tapering mechanism. This uses a circular tube which is circumferentially reduced by a tapered die during impact. This tapering process of tubes (steel or aluminium) has proved to be efficient and absorbs more energy than either tube inversion or progressive buckling. The paper also presents some analytical predictions for such devices. The mechanism of tapering is thereby described using kinematic relations and energy considerations. This closed-form solution shows the influence of material and geometrical parameters on the mean impact load. Overall, extensive experimental studies with different materials, lubrications, tubes and dies have been performed. The varied parameters are thickness, diameter, die angle and degree of deformation. The influence of friction is tested using grease and oil lubrication and without lubricant. Experimental data show good agreement with analytical results.

Language: en