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DE-102014116840-B4 - Crash box for a vehicle

DE102014116840B4DE 102014116840 B4DE102014116840 B4DE 102014116840B4DE-102014116840-B4

Abstract

A crash box (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a front connecting section (11) which is connected to both ends of a bumper support (1) of the vehicle, a return connecting section (12) which is connected to a longitudinal beam (2) of the vehicle, an intermediate connecting section (13) for connecting the front connecting section (11) with the rear connecting section (12), which is designed in a hollow, box-shaped form and whose cross-section cut in the vehicle width direction is designed as a heptagonal cross-section, and wherein the intermediate connecting section (13) has a cross-section of a heptagonal shape formed by connecting a pair of vertical sides (131) parallel to each other, a pair of horizontal sides (132) parallel to each other and three inclined sides (133), each inclined side (133) connecting the vertical side (131) to the horizontal side (132) at an angle, wherein the pair of vertical sides (131) has an inside (131a) which is arranged in an inside direction of the vehicle and an outside (131b) which is arranged in an outside direction of the vehicle, wherein the horizontal side(132) pair has a top (132a) which is arranged in a top direction of the vehicle and a bottom (132b) which is arranged in a bottom direction of the vehicle, and characterized by the fact that The crash box further comprises a plurality of reinforcing ribs (14) which are formed in an interior of the intermediate connecting section (13), each of the plurality of reinforcing ribs (14) a horizontal rib (14a) for connecting the inner side (131a) to the outer side (131b) and a has a vertical rib (14b) for connecting the top (132a) with the bottom (132b), the horizontal rib (14a) connects the inner surface (131a) to the outer surface (131b) at a central position between the upper surface (132a) and the lower surface (132b) by means of both ends of the horizontal rib (14a), the vertical rib (14b) connects the upper surface (132a) to the lower surface (132b) at a central section between the inner surface (131a) and the outer surface (131b) by means of both ends of the vertical rib (14b), and the horizontal rib (14a) and the vertical rib (14b) are connected in a cross-shaped form.

Inventors

  • Jeong Ho Lee
  • Hyun Gyung KIM
  • Seung Mok Lee
  • Nam Cheol Kim
  • Dong Eun Cha

Assignees

  • HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
  • KIA MOTORS CORP.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20141118
Priority Date
20140603

Claims (20)

  1. A crash box (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a front connecting section (11) connected to both ends of a bumper support (1) of the vehicle, a rear connecting section (12) connected to a longitudinal member (2) of the vehicle, an intermediate connecting section (13) for connecting the front connecting section (11) to the rear connecting section (12), which is formed in a hollow, box-shaped form and whose cross-section, cut in the vehicle width direction, is a heptagonal cross-section, and wherein the intermediate connecting section (13) has a heptagonal cross-section formed by connecting a pair of vertical sides (131) parallel to each other, a pair of horizontal sides (132) parallel to each other and three inclined sides (133), each inclined side (133) connecting the vertical side (131) to the horizontal side (132) at an angle, wherein the The pair of vertical sides (131) has an inner side (131a) oriented in an inner direction of the vehicle and an outer side (131b) oriented in an outer direction of the vehicle, the pair of horizontal sides (132) having a top side (132a) oriented in a top direction of the vehicle and a bottom side (132b) oriented in a bottom direction of the vehicle, and characterized in that the crash box further comprises a plurality of reinforcing ribs (14) formed in an interior of the intermediate connecting section (13), each of the plurality of reinforcing ribs (14) having a horizontal rib (14a) for connecting the inner side (131a) to the outer side (131b) and a vertical rib (14b) for connecting the top side (132a) to the bottom side (132b), the horizontal rib (14a) being located at a central position between the top side (132a) and the bottom side. (132b) connects the inner side (131a) to the outer side (131b) by means of both ends of the horizontal rib (14a), connects the upper side (132a) to the lower side (132b) at a middle section between the inner side (131a) and the outer side (131b) by means of both ends of the vertical rib (14b), and connects the horizontal rib (14a) and the vertical rib (14b) in a cross shape.
  2. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 1 , wherein the horizontal rib (14a) and the vertical rib (14b) are fully connected along a front/back longitudinal direction of the intermediate connecting section (13).
  3. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the inside (131a) and the top (132a) are connected at an angle of 90° to form a reinforcement section (R), and the reinforcement section (R) is arranged in an inside direction of the vehicle.
  4. The crash box (10) for a vehicle after one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the crashbox (10) is made of plastic.
  5. The crash box (10) for a vehicle after one of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein a guide pin (15) is connected to the return connection section (12), which guides a mounting position when the return connection section (12) is mounted to the longitudinal beam (2).
  6. A crash box (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a front connecting section (31) connected to both ends of a bumper support (1) of the vehicle, a rear connecting section (32) connected to a longitudinal member (2) of the vehicle, and an intermediate connecting section (33) for connecting the front connecting section (31) to the rear connecting section (32), which is formed in a hollow, box-shaped form and whose cross-section cut in the vehicle width direction is formed as a heptagonal cross-section, characterized in that the crash box (10) further comprises a plurality of tube sleeves (34) formed along a front/rear longitudinal direction of the intermediate connecting section (33).
  7. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 6 , wherein the intermediate connecting section (33) has the cross-section of a heptagonal shape formed by connecting a pair of vertical sides (331) parallel to each other, a pair of horizontal sides (332) parallel to each other and three inclined sides (333), wherein the inclined sides (333) obliquely connect the vertical sides (331) to the horizontal sides (332), wherein the pair of vertical sides (331) has an inner side (331a) oriented in an inner direction of the vehicle and an outer side (331b) oriented in an outer direction of the vehicle, wherein the pair of horizontal sides (332) has a top side (332a) oriented in a top direction of the vehicle, and having a bottom side (332b) which is arranged in a bottom direction of the vehicle, and the inside side (331a) and the top side (332a) are connected forming an angle of 90° to form a reinforcement section (R), and wherein the tube sleeves (34) are arranged on the reinforcement section (R) and on each of the three inclined sides (333).
  8. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 7 , wherein the reinforcement section (R) is arranged in an inside direction of the vehicle.
  9. The crash box (10) for a vehicle after one of the Claims 6 until 8 , wherein the crashbox (10) is made of plastic.
  10. The crash box (10) for a vehicle after one of the Claims 6 until 9 , wherein a guide pin (56) is connected to the return connection section (52), which guides a mounting position when the return connection section (52) is mounted to the longitudinal beam (2).
  11. A crash box (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a front connecting section (51) connected to both ends of a bumper support (1) of the vehicle, a rear connecting section (52) connected to a longitudinal member (2) of the vehicle, an intermediate connecting section (53) for connecting the front connecting section (51) to the rear connecting section (52), which is formed in a hollow, box-shaped form and whose cross-section cut in the vehicle width direction is formed as a heptagonal cross-section, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (54) formed in an interior of the intermediate connecting section (53), and characterized in that the crash box (10) further comprises a plurality of tube sleeves (55) formed along a front/rear longitudinal direction of the intermediate connecting section (53).
  12. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 11 , wherein the intermediate connecting section (53) is configured to have the cross-section of the heptagonal shape formed by connecting a pair of vertical sides (531) arranged parallel to each other, a pair of horizontal sides (532) arranged parallel to each other and three inclined sides (533), wherein the inclined sides (533) connect the vertical sides (531) to the horizontal sides (532) obliquely, wherein the pair of vertical sides (531) has an inner side (531a) arranged in an inner direction of the vehicle and an outer side (531b) arranged in an outer direction of the vehicle, wherein the pair of horizontal sides (532) has a top side (532a) arranged in a top direction of the vehicle and a bottom side (532b) arranged in a bottom direction of the vehicle, wherein the inner side (531a) and the top side (532a) are connected forming an angle of 90° are to form a reinforcing section (R), wherein each of the plurality of reinforcing ribs (54) has a horizontal rib (54a) to connect the inside (531a) to the outside (531b) and a vertical rib (54b) to connect the top (532a) to the bottom (532b), and wherein each tube sleeve (55) is arranged on the reinforcing section (R) and on each of the three inclined sides (533).
  13. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 12 , wherein the horizontal rib (54a) connects the inner side (531a) to the outer side (531b) at a central position between the upper side (532a) and the lower side (532b) by means of both ends of the horizontal rib (54a), the vertical rib (54b) connects the upper side (532a) to the lower side (532b) at a central position between the inner side (531a) and the outer side (531b) by means of both ends of the vertical rib (54b), and the horizontal rib (54a) and the vertical rib (54b) are connected in a cross shape.
  14. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 12 or 13 , wherein the horizontal rib (54a) and the vertical rib (54b) are fully connected along a front/back longitudinal direction of the intermediate connecting section (53).
  15. The crash box (10) for a vehicle after one of the Claims 11 until 14 , wherein the reinforcement section (R) is arranged in an inside direction of the vehicle.
  16. The crash box (10) for a vehicle after one of the Claims 11 until 15 , wherein the crashbox (10) is made of plastic.
  17. The crash box (10) for a vehicle after one of the Claims 11 until 16 , wherein a guide pin (56) is connected to the return connection section (52), which guides a mounting position when the return connection section (52) is mounted to the longitudinal beam (2).
  18. A crash box (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a front connecting section (71) connected to both ends of a bumper support (1) of the vehicle, and a rear connecting section (72) connected to a longitudinal member (2) of the vehicle, characterized in that the crash box (10) further comprises: a plurality of tubular sleeves (75) connecting the front connecting section (71) to the rear connecting section (72) and arranged at four corners top/bottom and left/right by means of a cross-sectional arrangement, the cross-section being cut in the vehicle width direction, an intermediate connecting section (73) for connecting the front connecting section (71), the rear connecting section (72) and each tubular sleeve (75) adjacent to the front connecting section (71) and the rear connecting section (72), and which intermediate connecting section (73) is formed in a hollow, box-shaped form, and a plurality of Reinforcing ribs (74) which are formed in an interior of the intermediate connecting section (73).
  19. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 18 , further comprising reinforcing tubes (77) which are installed such that they are inserted into each tube sleeve (75).
  20. The crash box (10) for a vehicle according to Claim 18 or 19 , wherein the intermediate connecting section (73) has a pair of vertical sides (731) arranged parallel to each other and a pair of horizontal sides (732) arranged parallel to each other, wherein the pair of vertical sides (731) has an inner side (731a) which is arranged in an inner direction of the vehicle and which connects the upper and the lower tube sleeve (75) on the inner side, and an outer side (731b) which is arranged in an outer direction of the vehicle and which connects the upper and the lower tube sleeve (75) on the outer side, wherein the pair of horizontal sides (732) has a top side (732a) which is arranged in a top direction of the vehicle and which connects the upper tube sleeve (75) arranged on the inner side to the upper tube sleeve (75) arranged on the outer side, and a bottom side (732b) which is arranged in a bottom direction of the vehicle and which connects the lower tube sleeve (75) arranged on the inner side with the lower tube sleeve (75) arranged on the outer side, and wherein each of the plurality of reinforcing ribs (74) has a horizontal rib (74a) for connecting the inner side (731a) to the outer side (731b) and a vertical rib (74b) for connecting the upper side (732a) to the lower side (732b).

Description

Background of the invention Field of invention Description of the related technology The present invention relates to a crash box (or a deformation element) for a vehicle (e.g. a motor vehicle) according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a crash box according to the preambles of claims 6, 11 and 18. Generally, a vehicle's bumper is installed at the front and rear of the vehicle to protect the vehicle body and any occupants in the event of a front or rear collision, and it (the bumper) further protects an internal combustion engine, various devices, and the like, which are installed under a hood and in an engine compartment. The bumper is equipped with a bumper cover, which forms an outer shape of the bumper, an energy absorber, which dampens a shock when a collision occurs and has a shape recovery function after the collision, and a back support (also referred to as a "bumper support"), which supports the energy absorber and is installed on the longitudinal member, wherein a crash box (or deformation element) 3, to absorb impact energy when a collision occurs, is installed between the back support 1 and the longitudinal member 2. The crashbox 3 is designed to absorb the impact energy by compressively deforming (e.g., deforming) in an axial direction (front-to-back direction) when the impact energy is applied to the bumper, and the crashbox can be designed to minimize the deformation of the longitudinal member in order to minimize repair costs. Furthermore, the crash box must be set up in such a way that it complies with the regulations of the RCAR (Research Council for Automobile Repairs) committee, which are the relevant regulations in the automotive sector. Referring to 1 Previously, in the relevant technique for a conventional RCAR performance test, there was only a corner test method that evaluated the compression-deformation property by applying a diagonal impact D to the rear support 1 of a vehicle. However, a center test method has recently been added that evaluates a load-bearing property by applying a vehicle axis-direction impact F (e.g., longitudinal axis direction) to a central section of the rear support 1. However, a conventional crash box 3 is designed such that it has a cross-section (e.g., a profile) of a circular shape or a shape as in 2 shown - square shape or one - as in 3 shown - octagonal shape, whereby an RCAR corner test achieves a high performance satisfaction level when this (crash box) is designed to have a cross-section of an octagonal shape which has a high sectional coefficient (in other words: a high number of profiles or steps). However, if the crashbox 3 is designed with an octagonal cross-section, this is advantageous for compression deformation but disadvantageous for load support, and therefore it does not respond effectively to an RCAR center test. Furthermore, if the crashbox 3 is designed with a rectangular cross-section, it is advantageous for load support and therefore responds effectively to an RCAR center test, but disadvantageous for compression deformation and therefore does not respond effectively to the RCAR corner test. Accordingly, a crash box must be developed that has an optimal shape, which is advantageous when reacting to both the RCAR corner test and the RCAR center test. KR 10 2012 0 010 382 A concerns a crab box according to the general term of independent claims. US 2005 0 104 393 A1 concerns technical means for arranging inner and outer side ribs that connect front and rear wall sections by applying an angle of inclination to diverge the ribs towards a front and form a projected section that is projected onto an inside at a section of the coupling of the inner side rib and the front wall section. Explanation of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a crash box (or deformation element) for a vehicle that can simultaneously pass the RCAR corner test and the center test by optimizing a cross-sectional shape (e.g., profile shape), and which further aims to reduce weight. The foregoing object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention. According to the present invention, a crash box (or deformation element) for a vehicle comprises: a front connecting section which is connected to both ends (e.g., an upper and a lower end) of a bumper support (or rear support) of the vehicle, a rear connecting section which is connected (or can be connected) to a longitudinal member of the vehicle, an intermediate connecting section for connecting the front connecting section to the rear connecting section, which (intermediate connecting section) is formed in a hollow, box-shaped form and whose cross-section, cut (or considered) in the direction of the vehicle width, is formed as a heptagonal cross-section, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs which are formed in an interior space of the intermediate connecting section. The connecting section has a heptag