AU2009202987A1

AU2009202987A1 - Energy Absorbing Buffer

Info

Publication number: AU2009202987A1
Application number: AU2009202987A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gradimir Zivkovic
Original assignee: Automotive Safety Engineering Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Parke James
Priority date: 2008-07-29
Filing date: 2009-07-27
Publication date: 2010-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-27
Also published as: AU2009202987B2

Description

2 Energy Adsorbing Buffer FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an energy adsorbing buffer. The energy adsorbing 5 buffer of the invention is designed to be used alongside roads to serve as a crash barrier reducing the impact and damage resulting from vehicle impacts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The effects of motor vehicle accidents are both personally devastating to those 10 involved and costly in terms of damage to vehicles and any surrounding infrastructure that may be damaged in the crash. Many methods of reducing the cost, both human and material, of motor vehicle accidents have been considered. One popular method of reducing the effect of a road side crash is the use of a crash barrier. A crash barrier is a barrier on a road designed to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway to 15 improve road safety. Vehicle crash barriers are commonly disposed alongside high speed roads. They may serve a variety of purposes including, in particular, keeping on the roadway a vehicle which, when out of control, strikes the barrier at an acute angle. It is desirable that, in performing this function, some element of impact load absorption takes place so that the vehicle is not too seriously damaged and its driver has some 20 chance of steering it to a safe stop. Common sites for crash barriers are: median separators on multi-lane highways; bridge supports and mountain roads. Usually, vehicle crash barriers of metal construction comprise one or more rails extending parallel with the road surface and supported, on their side away from the road, on vertical posts firmly anchored on top of a wall or in the ground. Barriers may 25 be made of steel or aluminium, or in some circumstances of wood. The design of the road barrier is generally such that a vehicle hitting the barrier is steered back onto the road. This may be achieved by designing the supports so that they break off on impact, allowing the barrier to deform and push the vehicle back on track. In some cases cost cutting has led to a failure of this mechanism, with so-called "duck-nesting" 30 (after the shallow nature of a duck nest) of barrier support bases. When this happens the supports tilt over at the base instead of breaking off, allowing the barrier to collapse and the vehicle to go over the barrier. Motorcyclists are very vulnerable to injury resulting from collisions with crash barriers. As motorcyclists are not protected by an encasing vehicle they are exposed to all the sharp edges of a barrier and can 35 receive significant injuries from the barrier. Large vehicles with a high centre of 3 gravity, such as sport utility vehicles, are also vulnerable to going over barriers on impact, thereby reducuing the ability of the barrier to protect pedestrians and roadside structures from injury and damage. Although crash barrier arrangements are acceptable on high speed roads and 5 highways, notwithstanding the above limitations, they are not considered an acceptable solution in an urban or suburban environment. Pedestrian access to roads would be hindered by the use of conventional crash barriers. Furthermore the need to accommodate access point for crossing, more frequent intersections and roadside structures such as light and electricity structures would interfere with the construction 10 of a long run of a crash barrier and add to the expense and cost of construction of the barrier. Thus, in urban areas where traffic speed may still be high vehicle impacts may, and indeed, do occur there is little to prevent vehicle impact on any number of nearby structures. In particular, collisions between vehicles colliding with power poles, bush 15 shelters, trees and other stationary object do considerable damage to the vehicles, the vehicle occupants and to the objects themselves. The present invention offers an alternative to the arrangements currently available or the protection of stationary roadside objects from vehicle impact. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an energy adsorbing buffer, said buffer including a plurality of individual buffer cell members attached to an external connector, said external connector serving to secure 25 the buffer to an object to be protected, wherein each of said buffer cell members is adapted to adsorb the impact of a crash and each contains one or more deformable crumple zones therein. Preferably, the individual buffer cell members are collectively surrounded by an outer, 30 finishing cell wrapper. The cell wrapper can serve an aesthetic function and may disguise the buffer, carry written material, advertising material, or even form a part of other street furniture, for example, waste baskets.

4 Preferably, the deformable crumple zones take the form of a plurality of slots around the buffer cell member circumference. Preferably, the deformable crumple zones takes the form of a first set of six slots 5 arranged evenly around each buffer cell member circumference, each slot being approximately 130mm in length and a second set of slots separated axially from the first set, whereby the first and second sets of slots serve, in use, as a deformable crumple zone that will sacrificially adsorb impact and thereby be a protective barrier to impact on any structure within the buffer 10 In alternative embodiments of the invention, the deformable crumple zones takes the form of contoured curves in the wall of the buffer cell members, or other more complex styles of cuts into a section of metal. 15 Similarly, it is possible for the deformable crumple zones to take the form of, a composite structure in which the buffer cell member includes additional shock adsorbing material. Preferably, the external connector consists of a three sided open ended channel and 20 wherein each of the buffer cell members are arranged around the three sides of the connector such that there is a double layer of buffer cell members arranged around the connector. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein each buffer cell 12 member 25 is a generally cylindrical member of length approximately 350mm and diameter approximately 100mm. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the height of the buffer is selected such that the buffer would, in use, be at a typical bumper height, and such a 30 reasonable proportion of the buffer extends above this height to continue to adsorb impact should a vehicle be crushed. Preferably, buffer consists of twelve separate interconnected buffer cell members arranged in a close packed array. 35 5 Preferably, the external connector is a three sided open ended channel and the buffer cell members are arranged around the three sides of the individual buffer cell members are connected to one another by bolts passing through adjacent cell members. 5 Preferably, the buffer cell members form an array arranged around the external connector wherein there is a double layer of buffer cell members. Preferably, the individual buffer cell members may be removed and replaced 10 independently of one another to thereby facilitate the replacement of a crushed buffer cell member. Preferably, the buffer cell members have flattened outer surfaces and that are interconnected by clips, or by welding. 15 DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment in 20 conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of an arrangement of an energy adsorbing buffer in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates the energy adsorbing buffer of figure 1 in side view; Figure 3 illustrates in partial view a single cell of the energy adsorbing buffer of 25 figure 1; and Figure 4 illustrates in perspective view the cell energy adsorbing buffer of figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates in perspective view the cell energy adsorbing buffer of figure 1 after impact; 30 Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the incorporation of the energy adsorbing buffer of the invention into street furniture. ; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 35 6 The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the 5 same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Shown in the drawings is an energy adsorbing buffer 10. The buffer 10 is composed of a number of interconnected, individual buffer cell members 12. The cell members 10 12 are collectively surrounded by an outer, finishing cell wrapper 14. The energy adsorbing buffer 10 further includes an external connector 16 to secure the buffer to an object to be protected. A single buffer cell member 12 can be seen in figures 3 and 4. In the example under 15 consideration each buffer cell 12 member is a generally cylindrical member of length approximately 350mm and diameter approximately 100mm. The specific length of the individual buffer cell members is not critical to the performance of the buffer 10 as a whole. Nevertheless, there are some considerations that should be borne in mind when selecting the length of the buffer. Typically the energy adsorbing buffer 10 will 20 be installed on a road side around a structure, for example a Stobie pole. Impacts between structures and vehicles occur beginning at the most outward portion of the vehicle, the bumper bar and continue inwardly in the vehicle depending on the impact force. This for the buffer 10 to be effective at adsorbing the impact strength, the height of the buffer should be selected such that the buffer would be at a typical bumper 25 height, and such a reasonable proportion of the buffer extends above this height to continue to adsorb impact should a vehicle be crushed. As vehicles are of differing heights off the ground it is useful to have the buffer extending over a reasonable length so as to cater for differing vehicles. It is of course possible to have a much longer buffer length, but the selected length is thought to be a good compromise of 30 effectiveness, cost and aesthetics. The energy adsorbing buffer 10 shown in the drawings consists of twelve separate interconnected buffer cell members 12 arranged in a close packed array. The external connector is a three sided open ended channel and the buffer cell members are 35 arranged around the three sides of the individual buffer cell members 12 are connected to one another by bolts 18 passing through adjacent cell members.

7 Connecting bolts 18 are located close to upper and lower edges of the cell members 12. As can be seen from the plan view the array of buffer cell members 12 is arranged such that around the three sides of the connector 16 there is a double layer of buffer cell members 12. 5 The buffer cell members 12 are adapted to adsorb the impact of a crash and each contains a deformable crumple zone in the form of a plurality of circumferentially arranged slots 20 to assist in this regard. In the example shown the slots 20 are arranged as a first set of six slots arranged evenly around the buffer cell member 10 circumference, each slot being approximately 130mm in length and a second set of slots 20 separated axially from the first set. The slots 20 serve, in use, as a deformable crumple zone that will sacrificially adsorb impact and thereby be a protective barrier to impact on any structure within the buffer 10. 15 Of course whilst slots have been used to form a crumple zone in the embodiment under consideration a deformable impact adsorbing crumple zone may take may various forms, including contoured curves in the wall of the buffer cell members, or other more complex styles of cuts into a section of metal. Alternatively, it is possible to contemplate a composite structure in which the buffer cell member includes additional 20 shock adsorbing plastics material and any other such forms of deformable crumple zones are contemplated within the scope of the invention. Figure 5 demonstrates the after effects of an impact of a vehicle against the barrier 10. In this case the buffer cell members 12 that have been closest to the impact have 25 been crushed. However, it can be seen that the structure to which the energy adsorbing buffer 10 is attached has not been damaged in the impact. Further more, it is possible to remove the crushed buffer cell members 12 by simply unbolting the structure and replacing any damaged members. Thus, the energy adsorbing buffer of the invention seeks to minimise the cost of any impacts. 30 Further alternative embodiments of the invention include buffer cell members 12 that have flattened outer surfaces and that are interconnected by other means, for example by clips, or by welding. 35 As mentioned the energy adsorbing buffer 10 is surrounded by an outer wrapper 14. The outer wrapper is essentially an aesthetic device. There are other ways is which 8 the appearance of the device 10 may be improved. For example, the buffer may be constructed so that it forms a part of traditional street furniture such as rubbish containers. Thus, the buffer 10 may be positioned so that it sits below a rubbish container and is thereby disguised. Figures 6, 7 and 8 are examples of rubbish 5 containers incorporating a buffer in accordance with the invention. Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred 10 embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. 15 In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An energy adsorbing buffer, said buffer including a plurality of individual buffer cell members attached to an external connector, said external connector 5 serving to secure the buffer to an object to be protected, wherein each of said buffer cell members is adapted to adsorb the impact of a crash and each contains one or more deformable crumple zones therein.

2. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the individual buffer 10 cell members are collectively surrounded by an outer, finishing cell wrapper.

3. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the deformable crumple zones takes the form of a plurality of slots around the buffer cell member circumference. 15

4. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the deformable crumple zones takes the form of a first set of six slots arranged evenly around each buffer cell member circumference, each slot being approximately 130mm in length and a second set of slots separated axially from the first set, whereby 20 the first and second sets of slots serve, in use, as a deformable crumple zone that will sacrificially adsorb impact and thereby be a protective barrier to impact on any structure within the buffer

5. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the deformable 25 crumple zones takes the form of contoured curves in the wall of the buffer cell members, or other more complex styles of cuts into a section of metal.

6. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the deformable crumple zones takes the form of, a composite structure in which the buffer cell 30 member includes additional shock adsorbing material.

7. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the external connector consists of a three sided open ended channel and wherein each of the buffer cell members are arranged around the three sides of the connector 35 such that there is a double layer of buffer cell members arranged around the connector. 10

8. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein each buffer cell 12 member is a generally cylindrical member of length approximately 350mm and diameter approximately 100mm. 5

9. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the height of the buffer is selected such that the buffer would, in use, be at a typical bumper height, and such a reasonable proportion of the buffer extends above this height to continue to adsorb impact should a vehicle be crushed. 10

10. . An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the buffer consists of twelve separate interconnected buffer cell members arranged in a close packed array. 15

11. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the external connector is a three sided open ended channel and the buffer cell members are arranged around the three sides of the individual buffer cell members are connected to one another by bolts passing through adjacent cell members. 20

12. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, in which the buffer cell members form an array arranged around the external connector wherein there is a double layer of buffer cell members.

13. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, in which the individual buffer 25 cell members may be removed and replaced independently of one another to thereby facilitate the replacement of any crushed buffer cell members.

14. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, in which the buffer cell members have flattened outer surfaces and that are interconnected by clips, or 30 by welding.

15. An energy adsorbing buffer according to claim 1, constructed so that it forms a part of traditional street furniture such as rubbish containers. 35

16. An energy adsorbing buffer according as defined in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 11 Dated: 27/07/2009 Automotive Safety Engineering Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys 5 Lesicar Perrin