AU2009202987B2

AU2009202987B2 - Energy Absorbing Buffer

Info

Publication number: AU2009202987B2
Application number: AU2009202987A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gradimir Zivkovic
Original assignee: Parke James
Current assignee: Parke James
Priority date: 2008-07-29
Filing date: 2009-07-27
Publication date: 2016-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-27
Also published as: AU2009202987A1

Abstract

An energy absorbing buffer, said buffer including a plurality of individual buffer ell members attached to an external connector, said external connector serving to secure the buffer to an object to be protected, wherein each of said buffer cell members is adapted to absorb the impact of a crash 5 and each contains one or more deformable crumple zones therein. The buffer cell members can be packed in an array around a structure to be protected and individual cell members replaced if are damaged. (9 It

Description

Biergy Absorbing Buffer

FI B.D OF THE INVENT ON

Tie present invention relatesto an energy absorbing buffer. Tie energy absorbing buffer of the invention isdesigned to be used alongside roadsto serve asacrash barrier reducing the impact and damage resulting from vehicle impacts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVB\ITI ON

Tie effectsof motor vehicle accidents are both personally devastating to those 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. Oie popular method of reducing the effect of a road side crash isthe use of acrash barrier. Acrash barrier isabarrier on a road designed to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway to improve road safety. Vehicle crash barriers are commonly disposed alongside high speed roads. TTiey 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 acuteangle. It isdesirablethat, in performing thisfunction, some element of impact load absorption takes place so that the vehicle is not too seriously damaged and its driver has some chance of steering it to a safe stop. Cbmmon sites for crash barriers are: median separators on multi-lane highways; bridge supports and mountain roads.

Usually, vehicle crash barriersof metal construction comprise one or more railsextending parallel with the road surface and supported, on their side away from the road, on vertical postsfirmly anchored on top of a wall or in the ground. Barriersmay be made of steel or aluminium, or in some circumstances of wood. Tie 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 afailureof this mechanism, with so-called "duck-nesting" (after the shallow nature of aducknest) 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 receive significant injuriesfromthe barrier. Large vehicles with a high centre of gravity, such as sport utility vehicles, are also vulnerable to going over barriers on impact, thereby reducing 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 highways, notwithstanding the above limitations, they are not considered an acceptable solution in an urban or suburban environment. Pedestrian accessto roads would be hindered by the use of conventional crash barriers. Furthermore the need to accommodate access point for crossing, morefrequent intersections and roadside structures such aslight and electricity structures would interfere with the construction of along run of acrash 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 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 arrangementscurrently available or the protection of stationary roadside objectsfrom vehicle impact.

SUMMAFfyOFTHE INVmilON

Therefore according to afirst aspect of the present invention there is provided an energy absorbing buffer, said buffer including a plurality of individual buffer cell members attached to an external connector, said external connector serving to secure the buffer to an object to be protected, wherein each of said buffer cell members is adapted to absorb the impact of acrash and each contai ns one or more deformable crumple zones therein.

Referably, the individual buffer cell members are collectively surrounded by an outer, finishing cell wrapper. The cell wrapper can serve an aesthetic function and may disguise the buffer, carry written material, advertising material, or even form apart of other street furniture, for example, waste baskets.

Referably, the deformable crumple zonestake the form of a plurality of slotsaround the buffer cell member circumference.

Referably, thedeformablecrumplezonestakesthe form of afirst 9et 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 the first and second setsof slotsserve, in use, as a deformable crumple zone that will sacrifidally absorb impact and thereby be a protective barrier to impact on any structure within the buffer.

In alternativeembodimentsof the invention, thedeformableaumplezonestakestheform of contoured curves in the wall of the buffer cell members, or other more complex styles of cuts intoasection of metal.

Smilarly, it ispossible for the deformable crumple zonesto take the form of, acomposite structure in which the buffer cell member includes additional shock absorbing material.

Referably, 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 such that there isadouble layer of buffer cell members arranged around the connector.

An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein each buffer cell 12 member is a generally cylindrical member of length approximately 350mm and diameter approximately 100mm. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the height of the buffer is selected such that the buffer would, in use, be at atypical bumper height, and such a reasonable proportion of the buffer extends above this height to continue to absorb impact should a vehicle be crushed. FVeferably, buffer consists of twelve separate interconnected buffer cell members arranged in a dose packed array.

Referably, 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.

Referably, the buffer cell membersform an array arranged around the external connector wherein there isadouble layer of buffer cell members.

Preferably, the individual buffer cell members may be removed and replaced independently of one another to thereby facilitate the replacement of a crushed buffer cell member.

Referably, the buffer cell members have flattened outer surfaces and that are interconnected by dips, or by welding.

DE9CR ΡΠ ON CF DRAWINGS

Tbe above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of an arrangement of an energy absorbing buffer in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates the energy absorbing buffer of figure 1 in side view;

Figure 3 illustrates in partial view asingle cell of the energy absorbing buffer of figure 1; and

Figure 4 illustrates in perspective view the cell energy absorbing buffer of figure 1;

Figure 5 illustrates in perspective view the cell energy absorbing buffer of figure 1 after impact;

Figures 6,7 and 8 illustrate the incorporation of the energy absorbing buffer of the invention into street furniture.;

The following detailed description of the invention refersto the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodimentsdescribed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

Shown i n t he drawi ngs i s an energy absorbi ng buffer 10. Tbe butfer 10 i s composed of a number of interconnected, individual buffer cell members 12. Tbecell members 12 are collectively surrounded by an outer, finishing cell wrapper 14. fbe energy absorbing buffer 10 further includes an external connector 16 to secure the buffer to an object to be protected. A single buffer cell member 12canbeseeninfigures3and4. In the example under consideration each buffer cell 12 member isagenerally cylindrical member of length approximately 350mm and diameter approximately 100mm. fbe 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 considerationsthat should be borne in mind when selecting the length of the buffer. Typically the energy absorbing buffer 10 will be installed on a road side around astructure, for example aStobie 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, ffiisfor the buffer 10 to be effective at absorbing the impact strength, the height of the buffer should be selected such that the buffer would be at atypical bumper height, and such a reasonable proportion of the buffer extends above this height to continue to absorb 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 isthought to be agood compromise of effectiveness, cost and aesthetics. fbe energy absorbing buffer 10 shown in the drawings consists of twelve separate interconnected buffer cell members 12 arranged in adose packed array, fbe external connector isathree sided open ended channel and the buffer cell members are 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.

Connecting bolts 18 are located d09e 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 isadouble layer of buffer cell members 12.

The buffer cell members 12 are adapted to absorb the impact of a crash and each contains a deformable aumple zone in the form of a plurality of circumferentially arranged slots 20 to assist in this regard. In the example shown theslots20 are arranged asafirst set of six slots arranged evenly around the buffer cell member 10 circumference, each slot being approximately 130mm in length and asecond set of slots20 separated axially from the first set. Theslots20 serve, in use, as a deformable aumple zone that will saaifidally absorb impact and thereby be a protedive barrier to impact on any structure within the buffer 10.

Of course whilst slots have been used to form aaumple zone in the embodiment under consideration a deformable impact absorbing aumplezone may take may various forms, induding contoured curvesin the wall of the buffer cell members, or other more complex styles of cuts into asection of metal. Alternatively, it ispossibleto contemplate acomposite structure in which the buffer cell member indudes additional shock absorbing plastics material and any other such forms of deformable aumple zones are contemplated within the scope of the invention.

Figure 5 demonstrates the after effectsof an impact of a vehide against the barrier 10. In this case the buffer cell members 12 that have been dosest to the impact have been crushed. Ftowever, it can be seen that the structure to which the energy absorbing buffer 10 isattached has not been damaged in the impact. Furthermore, it ispossibleto remove the aushed buffer cell members 12 by simply unbolting the structure and replaang any damaged members. Thus, the energy absorbing buffer of the invention seeksto minimise the cost of any impacts.

Further alternative embodimentsof the invention indude buffer cel I members12that have flattened outer surfaces and that are interconnected by other means, for example by clips, or by welding.

As mentioned the energy absorbing buffer 10 is surrounded by an outer wrapper 14. The outer wrapper is essentially an aesthetic device. There are other ways is which 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 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 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.

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

Claims:

1. An energy absorbing buffer, said buffer including a plurality of individual buffer cell members, each having a circumference, attached to an external connector, said external connector serving to secure the buffer to an object to be protected; each of said buffer cell members adapted to absorb the impact of a crash and each containing one or more deformable crumple zones therein, wherein the deformable crumple zones takes the form of a plurality of vertical slots around the buffer cell member circumference.
2. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the individual buffer cell members are collectively surrounded by an outer, finishing cell wrapper.
3. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the deformable crumple zones takes the form of a first set of six vertical 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 the first and second sets of slots serve, in use, as a deformable crumple zone that will sacrificially absorb impact and thereby be a protective barrier to impact on any structure within the buffer
4. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein 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.
5. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the deformable crumple zones takes the form of, a composite structure in which the buffer cell member includes additional shock absorbing material.
6. An energy absorbing 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 such that there is a double layer of buffer cell members arranged around the connector.
7. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein each buffer cell 12 member is a generally cylindrical member of length approximately 350mm and diameter approximately 100mm
8. An energy absorbing 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 absorb impact should a vehicle be crushed.
9. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, wherein the buffer consists of twelve separate interconnected buffer cell members arranged in a close packed array.
10. An energy absorbing 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.
11. An energy absorbing 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.
12. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, in which the individual buffer cell members may be removed and replaced independently of one another to thereby facilitate the replacement of any crushed buffer cell members.
13. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, in which the buffer cell members have flattened outer surfaces and that are interconnected by clips, or by welding.
14. An energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, constructed so that it forms a part of traditional street furniture such as rubbish containers.