WO2012158072A1 - An impact protection device for a vehicle and a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle - Google Patents
An impact protection device for a vehicle and a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012158072A1 WO2012158072A1 PCT/SE2011/000086 SE2011000086W WO2012158072A1 WO 2012158072 A1 WO2012158072 A1 WO 2012158072A1 SE 2011000086 W SE2011000086 W SE 2011000086W WO 2012158072 A1 WO2012158072 A1 WO 2012158072A1
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- Prior art keywords
- beam element
- state
- vehicle
- expandable
- expandable beam
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 17
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 title claims description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001962 electrophoresis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
- B62D21/15—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body
- B62D21/157—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body for side impacts
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an expandable beam element arranged for being mounted to a vehicle, where the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance.
- the expandable beam element is arranged to be expandable from a first state to a second state.
- the present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising an expandable beam element, where the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance.
- the expandable beam element is arranged to be expandable from a first state to a second state.
- the present invention also relates to a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of detecting a situation associated with a collision and expanding an expandable beam element from a first state to a second state.
- vehicles are constructed to comprise a framework that is adapted for handling impact situations; some beams should be collapsible and some beams should be as rigid as possible .
- DE 102008039514 discloses a vehicle structure construction unit where, in the case of an impact, the internal pressure within the structure construction unit is increased such that it is plastically deformed to produce an increased rigidity and/or pressure maintained for increased rigidity.
- Said object is achieved by means of an expandable beam element arranged for being mounted to a vehicle, where the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance.
- the expandable beam element is arranged to be expandable from a first state to a second state.
- the expandable beam element is furthermore arranged to be mounted to the vehicle such that the normal vehicle ground clearance is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance when the mounted expandable beam element expands from the first state to the second state.
- Said object is also achieved by means of a vehicle comprising an expandable beam element, where the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance.
- the expandable beam element is arranged to be expandable from a first state to a second state.
- the expandable beam element is furthermore mounted to the vehicle such that the normal vehicle ground clearance is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance when the mounted expandable beam element expands from the first state to the second state.
- the term vehicle ground clearance should be considered to be constituted by the shortest distance between the lower side of a stationary vehicle and the ground, where the ground is flat.
- the wheels, which normally are in contact with the ground should not be considered, but only those parts that are positioned between the respective wheel-pairs.
- the expandable beam element may have a main extension that runs in any direction relative the longitudinal extension.
- the vehicle further comprises a first side beam and a second side beam, where the side beams have a respective main extension running along the longitudinal extension.
- the expandable beam element is here arranged to be mounted between the side beams with a main extension that runs across the longitudinal extension, and thus is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension.
- the expandable beam element comprises at least one meandered section that is arranged to de-fold when the mounted expandable beam element expands from the first state to the second state.
- the expansion may be driven by a pyrotechnical device.
- the expanded expandable beam element mainly forms a cylinder which runs between the side beams .
- the expandable beam element is arranged to expand from the first state to the second state in association with the occurrence of a collision, either before the collision or at the collision.
- Said object is also achieved by means of a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of detecting a situation associated with a collision and expanding an expandable beam element from a first state to a second state.
- the method further comprises the step of partly using a vehicle normal ground clearance as expansion space, such that the normal vehicle ground clearance is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance when the mounted expandable beam element expands from the first state to the second state.
- the present invention enables the expansion to mainly be directed downwards, from the vehicle towards the ground, which means that the expandable beam element normally is mounted outside the vehicle compartment.
- the expandable beam element can be added to the vehicle after the cataphoresis process and can easily be replaced if needed.
- the vehicle ground clearance is used at the occurrence of a collision only, not interfering with the normal vehicle ground clearance otherwise.
- the expandable beam element according to the present invention presents an obtainable rigidity that is increased in relation to prior solutions.
- the vehicle ground clearance is reduced, but not removed, some vehicle ground clearance remaining. In other words, when the expandable beam element is expanded, it is not intended to contact the ground.
- the reduced vehicle ground clearance is thus larger than zero.
- the normal vehicle ground clearance is larger than the reduced vehicle ground clearance.
- the expandable beam element When the expandable beam element expands, it expands beyond the lower part of the underside of a vehicle, protruding towards the ground.
- Figure 1 shows a schematical side view of a vehicle equipped with the expandable beam element according to the present invention in a first state
- Figure 2 shows a schematical side view of a vehicle equipped with the expandable beam element according to the present invention in a second state
- Figure 3 shows a schematical partial bottom view of a vehicle equipped with the expandable beam element according to the present invention in a first state
- Figure 4 shows a schematical partial perspective view of the expandable beam element according to the present invention, without gables, in a first state
- Figure 5 shows a schematical partial perspective view of the expandable beam element according to the present invention, without gables, in a second state
- Figure 6 shows a flowchart for a method according to the present invention
- Figure 7 shows a schematical partial perspective view of the expandable beam element according to the present invention, with gables, in a first state.
- an expandable beam element 1 is mounted to the bottom of a vehicle 2.
- the vehicle 2 has a longitudinal extension L in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance Gl.
- the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl is constituted by the closest distance between the vehicle 2 and the ground 10 on which it runs for parts that are not in contact with the ground, such as the wheels 11, 12.
- vehicle ground clearance should thus be considered to be constituted by the shortest distance between the lower side of a stationary vehicle and the ground, where the ground is flat.
- the wheels which normally are in contact with the ground, should not be considered, but only those parts that are positioned between the respective wheel-pairs.
- the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl comprises a distance interval for the vehicle ground clearance during use; the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl may for example change due to the vehicle load and the driving conditions and is not a static measure.
- the vehicle 2 further comprises a first side beam 3 and a second side beam 4, the side beams 3, 4 having a respective main extension running along the longitudinal extension L.
- the expandable beam element 1 is mounted between the side beams 3, 4, and has a main extension running across the longitudinal extension L.
- the expandable beam element 1 has a relatively thin circumferential wall 8 enclosing an inner space 9 where the inner space 9 is arranged to expand when the mounted expandable beam element 1 changes from the first state SI to a second state S2 as shown in Figure 5.
- the expandable beam element 1 is arranged to be mounted to the vehicle 2 such that the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 when the mounted expandable beam element 1 expands from the first state SI, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4, to the second state S2, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 5.
- the reduction of vehicle ground clearance is caused by the expandable beam element 1 expanding from the first state SI to the second state S2, and in practice the reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 is constituted by a distance between the part of the expanded expandable beam element that is closest to the ground 10, and the ground 10.
- the reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 comprises a distance interval for the vehicle ground clearance during use.
- the vehicle ground clearance is reduced from a normal vehicle ground clearance Gl to a reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 when the expandable beam element 1 expands from the first state SI to the second state S2.
- the expandable beam element 1 may be made in many forms, for example, with reference to Figure 4, the expandable beam element 1 comprises meandered sections 5, 6 that are arranged to de-fold when the mounted expandable beam element 1 expands from the first state SI to the second state S2.
- the number of meandered sections 5, 6 may vary, but according to this example there is at least one.
- a pyrotechnical device 7 is arranged to provide the pressure necessary for expanding the mounted expandable beam element 1 from the first state SI to the second state S2.
- the pyrotechnical device 7 may be mounted in the expandable beam element 1 as shown in Figure 3, or in any suitable other place.
- the present invention also relates to a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
- the expandable beam element 1 may be made in many ways except the described example with meandered sections, such as having the circumferential wall running in a rectangular shape or in a wavy shape.
- the circumferential wall 8 may have a mainly circular shape, such that the expanded expandable beam element 1 mainly forms a cylinder which runs between the side beams 3, 4.
- the expandable beam element 1 may alternatively be mounted such that it has a main extension that runs along the longitudinal extension L, being mounted in a suitable manner (not shown) .
- the expandable beam element 1 may have a main extension that runs in any direction relative the longitudinal extension L.
- the expandable beam element 1 is preferably arranged to expand from the first state SI to the second state S2 in association with the occurrence of a collision, preferably a short time before the actual impact. Any type of suitable pre-collision detection system may be used for providing necessary information regarding an upcoming collision situation .
- the expandable beam element 1 is preferably arranged with gables, a first gable 16 being indicated at one end of the expandable beam element 1.
- Another corresponding gable is arranged at the other end of the expandable beam element 1 (not shown in Figure 7) .
- the gables 16 are arranged to expand with the expandable beam element 1, the gables 16 having a folded configuration and/or flanges 16a, schematically indicated in Figure 7, overlapping a part of the expandable beam element 1.
- the gables 16 are either part of the expandable beam element 1, or formed from separate pieces of material.
- the pressure in the expandable beam element 1 when expanding is for example in the range of more than 10 bar, depending on design and material.
- a conventional airbag is normally pressurized with a pressure of about 1 bar.
- the expandable beam element 1 may comprise an interior expandable chamber 17, the expandable chamber 17 being arranged to communicate with pressurized air from the pyrotechnical device 7.
- Such an expandable chamber 17 is preferably made of plastic or fabric. The main advantage using an expandable chamber 17 is that pressure losses in the expandable beam element 1 due to leakage would be reduced.
- the vehicle ground clearance is reduced, but not removed, some vehicle ground clearance remaining. In other words, when the expandable beam element 1 is expanded, it is not intended to contact the ground.
- the reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 is thus larger than zero.
- the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl is larger than the reduced vehicle ground clearance G2.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to an expandable beam element (1) arranged for being mounted to a vehicle (2), where the vehicle (2) has a longitudinal extension (L) in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance (G1). The expandable beam element (1) is arranged to be expandable from a first state (S1) to a second state (S2). Furthermore, the expandable beam element (1) is arranged to be mounted to the vehicle (2) such that the normal vehicle ground clearance (G1) is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance (G2) when the mounted expandable beam element (1) expands from the first state (S1) to the second state (S2). The present invention relates to a corresponding vehicle and a corresponding method.
Description
An impact protection device for a vehicle and a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle
Description of the invention
The present invention relates to an expandable beam element arranged for being mounted to a vehicle, where the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance. The expandable beam element is arranged to be expandable from a first state to a second state.
The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising an expandable beam element, where the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance. The expandable beam element is arranged to be expandable from a first state to a second state.
The present invention also relates to a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of detecting a situation associated with a collision and expanding an expandable beam element from a first state to a second state.
Today, vehicles are constructed to comprise a framework that is adapted for handling impact situations; some beams should be collapsible and some beams should be as rigid as possible .
In the case of an impact from the side, a vehicle is relatively vulnerable for structural and personal damage. This is especially important in the case of electric and hybride cars which are equipped with large battery packs.
An electric car may for example carry a battery pack with a weight of about 250 kilos. It is therefore of interest to enhance the vehicle side impact protection. DE 102008039514 discloses a vehicle structure construction unit where, in the case of an impact, the internal pressure within the structure construction unit is increased such that it is plastically deformed to produce an increased rigidity and/or pressure maintained for increased rigidity.
However, it is desired that the obtainable rigidity of an expandable beam element for a vehicle is further increased compared to the structure construction unit discussed above .
It is an object of the present invention to provide an expandable beam element for a vehicle, the expandable beam element having an obtainable rigidity that is increased in relation to prior solutions.
Said object is achieved by means of an expandable beam element arranged for being mounted to a vehicle, where the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance. The expandable beam element is arranged to be expandable from a first state to a second state. The expandable beam element is furthermore arranged to be mounted to the vehicle such that the normal vehicle ground clearance is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance when the mounted expandable beam element expands from the first state to the second state.
Said object is also achieved by means of a vehicle comprising an expandable beam element, where the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance. The expandable beam element is arranged to be expandable from a first state to a second state. The expandable beam element is furthermore mounted to the vehicle such that the normal vehicle ground clearance is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance when the mounted expandable beam element expands from the first state to the second state.
In this context, the term vehicle ground clearance should be considered to be constituted by the shortest distance between the lower side of a stationary vehicle and the ground, where the ground is flat. The wheels, which normally are in contact with the ground should not be considered, but only those parts that are positioned between the respective wheel-pairs. Generally, the expandable beam element may have a main extension that runs in any direction relative the longitudinal extension. According to an example, the vehicle further comprises a first side beam and a second side beam, where the side beams have a respective main extension running along the longitudinal extension. The expandable beam element is here arranged to be mounted between the side beams with a main extension that runs across the longitudinal extension, and thus is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension.
According to another example, the expandable beam element comprises at least one meandered section that is arranged to de-fold when the mounted expandable beam element expands
from the first state to the second state. The expansion may be driven by a pyrotechnical device.
According to another example, the expanded expandable beam element mainly forms a cylinder which runs between the side beams .
Preferably, the expandable beam element is arranged to expand from the first state to the second state in association with the occurrence of a collision, either before the collision or at the collision.
Said object is also achieved by means of a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of detecting a situation associated with a collision and expanding an expandable beam element from a first state to a second state. The method further comprises the step of partly using a vehicle normal ground clearance as expansion space, such that the normal vehicle ground clearance is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance when the mounted expandable beam element expands from the first state to the second state.
The present invention enables the expansion to mainly be directed downwards, from the vehicle towards the ground, which means that the expandable beam element normally is mounted outside the vehicle compartment.
This in turn means that there is no interaction with vehicle occupant or vehicle interior when the expandable beam element is expanded
Furthermore, the expandable beam element can be added to the vehicle after the cataphoresis process and can easily be replaced if needed.
By means of the present invention the vehicle ground clearance is used at the occurrence of a collision only, not interfering with the normal vehicle ground clearance otherwise. By using the vehicle ground clearance at the occurrence of a collision, the expandable beam element according to the present invention presents an obtainable rigidity that is increased in relation to prior solutions.
It is to be noted, that when the expandable beam element is expanded, the vehicle ground clearance is reduced, but not removed, some vehicle ground clearance remaining. In other words, when the expandable beam element is expanded, it is not intended to contact the ground. The reduced vehicle ground clearance is thus larger than zero. The normal vehicle ground clearance is larger than the reduced vehicle ground clearance.
When the expandable beam element expands, it expands beyond the lower part of the underside of a vehicle, protruding towards the ground.
Brief description of the drawings
The present invention will now be described more in detail with reference to the appended drawings, where
Figure 1 shows a schematical side view of a vehicle equipped with the expandable beam element according to the present invention in a first state ;
Figure 2 shows a schematical side view of a vehicle equipped with the expandable beam element according to the present invention in a second state;
Figure 3 shows a schematical partial bottom view of a vehicle equipped with the expandable beam element according to the present invention in a first state;
Figure 4 shows a schematical partial perspective view of the expandable beam element according to the present invention, without gables, in a first state;
Figure 5 shows a schematical partial perspective view of the expandable beam element according to the present invention, without gables, in a second state;
Figure 6 shows a flowchart for a method according to the present invention; and Figure 7 shows a schematical partial perspective view of the expandable beam element according to the present invention, with gables, in a first state.
Detailed description
With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 3, an expandable beam element 1 is mounted to the bottom of a vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 has a longitudinal extension L in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance
Gl. The normal vehicle ground clearance Gl is constituted by the closest distance between the vehicle 2 and the ground 10 on which it runs for parts that are not in contact with the ground, such as the wheels 11, 12.
The general term vehicle ground clearance should thus be considered to be constituted by the shortest distance between the lower side of a stationary vehicle and the ground, where the ground is flat. The wheels, which normally are in contact with the ground, should not be considered, but only those parts that are positioned between the respective wheel-pairs.
Furthermore, the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl comprises a distance interval for the vehicle ground clearance during use; the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl may for example change due to the vehicle load and the driving conditions and is not a static measure. The vehicle 2 further comprises a first side beam 3 and a second side beam 4, the side beams 3, 4 having a respective main extension running along the longitudinal extension L. The expandable beam element 1 is mounted between the side beams 3, 4, and has a main extension running across the longitudinal extension L.
With reference to Figure 4, showing the expandable beam element 1 in a first state SI, the expandable beam element 1 has a relatively thin circumferential wall 8 enclosing an inner space 9 where the inner space 9 is arranged to expand when the mounted expandable beam element 1 changes from the first state SI to a second state S2 as shown in Figure 5.
According to the present invention, the expandable beam element 1 is arranged to be mounted to the vehicle 2 such that the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 when the mounted expandable beam element 1 expands from the first state SI, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4, to the second state S2, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 5.
This means that the reduction of vehicle ground clearance is caused by the expandable beam element 1 expanding from the first state SI to the second state S2, and in practice the reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 is constituted by a distance between the part of the expanded expandable beam element that is closest to the ground 10, and the ground 10.
As discussed previously regarding the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl, the reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 comprises a distance interval for the vehicle ground clearance during use. In accordance with the present invention, the vehicle ground clearance is reduced from a normal vehicle ground clearance Gl to a reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 when the expandable beam element 1 expands from the first state SI to the second state S2.
Thus, by means of the invention, a part of the vehicle ground clearance is used in the moment of impact to expand the expandable beam element 1, such that the forming of a larger and more rigid expanded beam element then disclosed in prior solutions is enabled.
The expandable beam element 1 may be made in many forms, for example, with reference to Figure 4, the expandable
beam element 1 comprises meandered sections 5, 6 that are arranged to de-fold when the mounted expandable beam element 1 expands from the first state SI to the second state S2. The number of meandered sections 5, 6 may vary, but according to this example there is at least one.
With reference to Figure 3, in order to enable the expandable beam element 1 to expand properly in the event of an impact, a pyrotechnical device 7 is arranged to provide the pressure necessary for expanding the mounted expandable beam element 1 from the first state SI to the second state S2. The pyrotechnical device 7 may be mounted in the expandable beam element 1 as shown in Figure 3, or in any suitable other place.
With reference to Figure 6, the present invention also relates to a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
13: detecting a situation associated with a collision;
14: expanding an expandable beam element 1 from a first state SI to a second state S2; and
15: partly using a vehicle normal ground clearance Gl as expansion space, such that the normal vehicle ground clearance Gl is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 when the mounted expandable beam element 1 expands from the first state SI to the second state S2.
The present invention is not limited to the examples provided above, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the expandable beam element 1 may be made in many ways except the described example with meandered sections, such as having the circumferential wall running in a rectangular shape or in a wavy shape.
Furthermore, with reference to Figure 5, in the second state SI, the circumferential wall 8 may have a mainly circular shape, such that the expanded expandable beam element 1 mainly forms a cylinder which runs between the side beams 3, 4.
In the examples discussed, the expandable beam element 1 may alternatively be mounted such that it has a main extension that runs along the longitudinal extension L, being mounted in a suitable manner (not shown) . Generally, the expandable beam element 1 may have a main extension that runs in any direction relative the longitudinal extension L.
The expandable beam element 1 is preferably arranged to expand from the first state SI to the second state S2 in association with the occurrence of a collision, preferably a short time before the actual impact. Any type of suitable pre-collision detection system may be used for providing necessary information regarding an upcoming collision situation .
With reference to Figure 7, the expandable beam element 1 is preferably arranged with gables, a first gable 16 being indicated at one end of the expandable beam element 1.
Another corresponding gable is arranged at the other end of the expandable beam element 1 (not shown in Figure 7) .
Preferably, the gables 16 are arranged to expand with the expandable beam element 1, the gables 16 having a folded configuration and/or flanges 16a, schematically indicated in Figure 7, overlapping a part of the expandable beam
element 1. The gables 16 are either part of the expandable beam element 1, or formed from separate pieces of material.
The pressure in the expandable beam element 1 when expanding is for example in the range of more than 10 bar, depending on design and material. A conventional airbag is normally pressurized with a pressure of about 1 bar.
As shown in Figure 3, the expandable beam element 1 may comprise an interior expandable chamber 17, the expandable chamber 17 being arranged to communicate with pressurized air from the pyrotechnical device 7. Such an expandable chamber 17 is preferably made of plastic or fabric. The main advantage using an expandable chamber 17 is that pressure losses in the expandable beam element 1 due to leakage would be reduced.
It is to be noted, that when the expandable beam element 1 is expanded, the vehicle ground clearance is reduced, but not removed, some vehicle ground clearance remaining. In other words, when the expandable beam element 1 is expanded, it is not intended to contact the ground. The reduced vehicle ground clearance G2 is thus larger than zero. The normal vehicle ground clearance Gl is larger than the reduced vehicle ground clearance G2.
Claims
1. An expandable beam element (1) arranged for being mounted to a vehicle (2), the vehicle (2) having a longitudinal extension (L) in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance (Gl) , the expandable beam element (1) being arranged to be expandable from a first state (SI) to a second state (SI) , characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) is arranged to be mounted to the vehicle (2) such that the normal vehicle ground clearance (Gl) is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance (G2) when the mounted expandable beam element (1) expands from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) .
2. An expandable beam element according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle (2) further comprises a first side beam (3) and a second side beam (4), the side beams (3, 4) having a respective main extension running along the longitudinal extension (L) , the expandable beam element (1) being arranged to be mounted between the side beams (3, 4) and having a main extension running across the longitudinal extension (L) .
3. An expandable beam element according to any one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) comprises at least one meandered section (5, 6) that is arranged to de-fold when the mounted expandable beam element (1) expands from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) .
4. An expandable beam element according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) is associated with a pyrotechnical device (7) that is arranged to provide the force necessary for expanding the mounted expandable beam element (1) from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) .
5. An expandable beam element according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) has a circumferential wall (8) enclosing an inner space (9), the inner space (9) being arranged to expand when the mounted expandable beam element (1) expands from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) .
6. An expandable beam element according to claim 5, characterized in that in the second state (S2), the circumferential wall (8) has a mainly circular shape such that the expanded expandable beam element (1) mainly forms a cylinder.
7. An expandable beam element according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) is arranged to expand from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) in association with the occurrence of a collision.
8. A vehicle (2) comprising an expandable beam element (1), the vehicle (2) having a longitudinal extension (L) in its main travelling direction and a normal vehicle ground clearance (Gl), the expandable beam element (1) being arranged to be expandable from a first state (SI) to a second state (SI), characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) is mounted to the vehicle (2) such that the normal vehicle ground clearance (Gl) is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance (G2) when the mounted expandable beam element (1) expands from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2).
9. A vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that that the vehicle (2) further comprises a first side beam (3) and a second side beam (4), the side beams (3, 4) having a respective main extension running along the longitudinal extension (L) , the expandable beam element (1) being arranged to be mounted between the side beams (3, 4) and having a main extension running across the longitudinal extension (L) .
10. A vehicle according to any one of the claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) comprises at least one meandered section (5, 6) that is arranged to de-fold when the mounted expandable beam element (1) expands from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) .
11. A vehicle according to any one of the claims 8- 10, characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) has a circumferential wall (8) enclosing an inner space (9), the inner space (9) being arranged to expand when the mounted expandable beam element (1) expands from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) .
12. A vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that in the second state (S2), the circumferential wall (8) has a mainly circular shape such that the expanded expandable beam element (1) mainly forms a cylinder.
13. A vehicle according to any one of the claims 8- 12, characterized in that the expandable beam element (1) is arranged to expand from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) in association with the occurrence of a collision.
14. A method for providing shock protection for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
(13) detecting a situation associated with a collision;
(14) expanding an expandable beam element (1) from a first state (SI) to a second state (S2);
characterized in that the method further comprises the step :
(15) partly using a vehicle normal ground clearance (Gl) as expansion space, such that the normal vehicle ground clearance (Gl) is reduced to a reduced vehicle ground clearance (G2) when the mounted expandable beam element (1) expands from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) .
15. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the method further comprises the step of de-folding at least one meandered section (5, 6) when the mounted expandable beam element (1) is expanding from the first state (SI) to the second state (S2) .
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2011/000086 WO2012158072A1 (en) | 2011-05-19 | 2011-05-19 | An impact protection device for a vehicle and a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2011/000086 WO2012158072A1 (en) | 2011-05-19 | 2011-05-19 | An impact protection device for a vehicle and a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2012158072A1 true WO2012158072A1 (en) | 2012-11-22 |
Family
ID=47177176
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2011/000086 WO2012158072A1 (en) | 2011-05-19 | 2011-05-19 | An impact protection device for a vehicle and a method for providing shock protection for a vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2012158072A1 (en) |
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| DE102015009884A1 (en) * | 2015-07-29 | 2017-02-02 | Audi Ag | Structural component for a vehicle |
| WO2020088920A1 (en) * | 2018-10-31 | 2020-05-07 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Gas-fillable support means for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipped therewith |
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| WO2001085527A1 (en) * | 2000-05-05 | 2001-11-15 | Elaion Produkter | Vehicle arrangement comprising deformation beams, and a method for control of deformation |
| DE10316847A1 (en) * | 2003-04-11 | 2004-11-11 | Dr.Ing.H.C. F. Porsche Ag | Apron at front of road vehicle for protection of pedestrian in collision extends downward from bumper to prevent pedestrian rolling under front of vehicle and has resilient airbag |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| DE102015009884A1 (en) * | 2015-07-29 | 2017-02-02 | Audi Ag | Structural component for a vehicle |
| DE102015009884B4 (en) * | 2015-07-29 | 2018-11-08 | Audi Ag | Structural component for a vehicle |
| WO2020088920A1 (en) * | 2018-10-31 | 2020-05-07 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Gas-fillable support means for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipped therewith |
| US11827170B2 (en) | 2018-10-31 | 2023-11-28 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Gas-fillable support means for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipped therewith |
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