DE2818355A1 - ENERGY-ABSORBING ELEMENT - Google Patents

Description

ΛΗΡ ³ «

Patent Attorneys D: ρ I.-! Ng. Cu rt whale laughs Dipl.-Ing. Günther Koch Dipl.-Phys. Dr Tino Haibach Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Feldkamp

D-8000 lyfürichen 2 Kaufingerstraße 8 Telephone (0 89) 24 02 75 Telex 5 29 513 wakai d

/ Date: April 26, 1978

\ Our reference: 16 2 ^ 8 - Fk / Ne

Societe Anonyme dite: VIBRACHOC
Saint-Cloud / France

Energy absorbing element

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Patent attorneys Dipl .-! Ng. Curt Wallach Dipl.-Ing. 6ünther Koch * Dipl.-Phys. Dr Tino Haibach Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Feldkamp

D-8000 Munich 2 ■ Kaufingerstraße 8 · Telephone (0 89) 24 02 75 · Telex 5 29 513 wakai d

Date: April 26, 1978

Our reference: 16 2j8 - Fk / Ne

SOGiete anonymous dite: VIBRACHOC Saint-Cloud / France

Energy absorbing element

The invention relates to an energy-absorbing element which can be inserted between two structural elements, the are connected to each other and can be subjected to a shock.

Various types of energy-absorbing elements are known, for example in bumpers of vehicles be used.

These energy absorbing members are generally complicated and expensive in structure and do not constitute provide satisfactory cushioning in the case of violent impacts, and they are generally after such violent impact no longer usable.

For certain applications and especially for the production of protection against falls or hard landings Protective seats for helicopters are there for adequate protection of the passengers of a helicopter inside

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Pall of a violent impact on the ground after a failure or damage to the helicopter, energy-absorbing devices are required on the seats of the helicopter that allow protection regardless of the strength of the impact.

The invention is based on the object of an energy-absorbing To create element of the type mentioned, which has a very strong energy absorption in the case of violent Allows impacts, whereby this energy-absorbing function is maintained even in the case of light impacts, such elements can be used in particular in an energy-absorbing device for seats of a helicopter should be and should allow optimal protection regardless of the strength of the shock. That should Energy-absorbing element allow simple and economical manufacture and very easy after the occurrence be able to be put back into the operational state after a shock.

This object is achieved according to the invention on the basis of an energy-absorbing element of the type mentioned at the beginning solved that the energy-absorbing element has a tubular metallic jacket which is attached to a component and contains a cartridge or insert of elastomeric material over at least a portion of its length, as well as has a cutting part made of metal, which is connected to the other component and in the jacket in ^ the Near the end of the insert so that it is driven into the elastomeric material in the event of an impact and traverses the insert over at least a portion of its length.

The energy-absorbing element according to the invention can absorb very large amounts of energy in the event of violent impacts, at the same time there is an energy absorption also in the case

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from lighter thrusts. The energy-absorbing element has a very simple structure, making it light in weight and can be produced at low cost.

It is also sufficient to use the insert or cartridge made of elastomeric material after a very strong shock has occurred to be replaced so that the element is returned to working order.

According to a first embodiment, this is made of metal Cutting part attached so that it when a shock occurs in the longitudinal direction through the insert or the Cartridge made of elastomeric material is pulled through.

This cutting part made of metal can then advantageously be connected to one end of a rope, the other end of which is attached to the other structural element, wherein the rope is at rest inside the insert or cartridge along a longitudinal axis of this insert and extends over at least most of its length.

According to a second embodiment of the invention that is made of metal cutting part fixed so that it in the event of a shock in the longitudinal direction in the insert is pushed in and through it.

In this embodiment it is made of metal Cutting part preferably connected to the end of a piston rod, the other end to the other component is attached, while the metal jacket, which is attached to the first component, forms the body of the cylinder.

In this embodiment, the piston rod is preferred with the end opposite the cutting part made of metal, articulated to one of the structural elements attached, while the metal jacket at the end that the

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The end is opposite to where the piston rod is located, is articulated to the other component.

The cutting part made of metal is preferred
slidably mounted on a longitudinal guide central axis which extends over at least most of the insert or cartridge.

According to the invention, the metal jacket and the insert made of elastomeric material preferably have a circular cross section on.

Furthermore, the outer diameter of the insert made of elastomeric material is preferably somewhat smaller than the inner diameter of the metal jacket so when the cutting part made of metal is pressed into the elastomeric material of the latter elastomeric material can be pressed outwards until it comes into contact with the inner wall of the metal jacket.

The cutting part made of metal can be any
have suitable shape and it may, for example, be a
have parallelepiped shape, which is lengthened by a tapering part, wherein the cutting part has a longitudinal opening which can receive the rope to which the cutting part is to be attached, or
which receives the guide axis.

The cutting part made of metal can furthermore have a cruciform cross-section and the central part of this cutting part is then provided with an opening which
Receives rope to which the cutting part is to be attached or which receives the guide axis.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention can the cutting part made of metal during manufacture

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of the energy-absorbing element in the elastomeric material be embedded.

Furthermore, it is optionally possible to precompress the before attaching the energy-absorbing element elastomeric material of the insert or cartridge.

The invention further relates to the use of the energy-absorbing element according to the invention for a Protective device against falls or hard ground contact for the seats of helicopters, in which at least an inventive energy absorbing element between the respective seat, which thus forms one of the components mentioned and is arranged in the cabin of the helicopter, the forms the other component.

According to a preferred embodiment of this application at least one of the energy-absorbing elements according to the invention is designed so that the one made of metal Cutting part is pulled through the insert or cartridge in the longitudinal direction when a shock occurs, the or the energy-absorbing elements are arranged in the backrest of the seat along this backrest.

With this use, at least one energy-absorbing element according to the invention can preferably also be used according to FIG second embodiment can be used, i.e. an energy absorbing Element in which the cutting part enters the insert or cartridge in the event of a longitudinal impact is pushed in and pushed through, with the energy-absorbing element or elements under the seat between the latter and the floor of the cabin.

Further advantageous refinements and developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing.

In the drawing show:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of the

energy absorbing element;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a second embodiment of the

energy absorbing element;

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through the embodiment of the energy-absorbing element according to Fig. 1;

4 shows a cross section through the embodiment

of the energy-absorbing element according to FIG. 3J

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of an embodiment of a

energy-absorbing element similar to FIG. 2;

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the made of metal

Cutting part which is used in the energy-absorbing element according to FIG. 5;

7 shows a first embodiment of an impact protection device for helicopter seats;

8 shows a second embodiment of such a type

Impact protection device.

The shown in Fig. 1 first embodiment of the energy-absorbing Element has a tubular jacket 1 made of metal, for example with a circular cross-section inside a cartridge or an insert

./. 809844/0992

2 is arranged from elastomeric material, for example in the form of a single cylinder or in the form of a stack

of silicone.

The insert or cartridge of elastomeric material has a longitudinal central opening through which a rope 3 runs through, with one end at one made of metal and is attached schematically at 4 shown Sehneidteil, the cutting edge on the insert elastomeric material is directed, while the other (not shown) end of the rope is connected to one of the structural elements that can be subjected to an impact, for example with the cabin of a helicopter. The cylindrical one Shell 1 is firmly connected to the other component, in this case with a seat of the helicopter. When when an impact occurs on the energy-absorbing Element acts a force indicated by the arrow F, for example in the event of a collision with the helicopter the cutting part 4 made of metal, which is connected to the rope 3> is connected, pulled in the direction of arrow F and penetrates the insert 2 made of elastomeric material, a Braking force is produced, which counteracts this movement.

It is therefore understandable that the energy-absorbing element has the effect of damping the impact, the distance over which the damping takes place is equal to the length of the insert 2 made of elastomeric material and where the value the braking force is determined by the properties of the elastomeric material.

The energy-absorbing element according to FIG. 2 differs from the energy-absorbing element shown in FIG Element in that it is designed such that when an impact force F acts on a piston rod 5, at the The end of the cutting part 4 made of metal is attached,

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this cutting part is then pressed into the insert 2 made of elastomeric material.

In FIGS. 5 and k , an embodiment of an energy-absorbing element is shown which corresponds to the diagram according to FIG.

This energy-absorbing element has a body or jacket 1 which is filled over the greater part of its length with an insert 2 made of elastomeric material. The tubular body 1 is closed at its ends by removable plugs 6 and provided with fastening tabs Ja and 7b, the tab 7a being attachable, for example, to the upper part of a backrest of the seat of a helicopter, while the tab 7b is then attachable to the lower part of the backrest this seat is attached.

The insert 2 made of elastomeric material is traversed over its entire length by a metal cable 3, one of which The end is firmly connected to a metal tendon part which has a cruciform cross-section 4a, as can best be seen from FIG. This cutting part made of metal is, for example, in FIG embodiment shown in the mass of the elastomer Embedded material, but it is also easily possible that it is made of elastomeric material outside the insert Material is as shown schematically in FIG.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 5 of the energy-absorbing Element corresponds to the schematic representation according to FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, the insert 2 is made of elastomeric material Material has a slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the metal-made cylindrical

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Body 1, so that between this insert and the body 1, a tubular metal part 5a can pass, which forms part of a piston rod to which the metal cutting part 4b is attached. This cutting part 4b has, as can best be seen from FIG. 6, a parallelepiped-shaped cross-section passing through a tapered part extended, wherein the cutting part surrounds a guide axis 8, which in the longitudinal direction Insert 2 made of elastomeric material passes through.

The energy absorbing element according to FIG. 5 has end flaps 9a and 9b, which are provided with openings and the articulated Allow attachment of this element to the components with any inclination. The tab 9b can, for example be attached to the lower part of the seat of a helicopter, the tab 9a then at the bottom of the cabin is attached.

In the event of an impact, the impact force is transmitted via the piston rod 5 to the cutting part 4b made of metal, which then runs through the insert 2 made of elastomeric material at least over part of its length and through the guide axis 8 is performed.

In Fig. 7 is a first embodiment of an impact protection device shown for the seats of a helicopter.

At least one energy absorbing element 10 of the type shown in Figures 1 and J5 is along attached to the backrest 11 of the seat, the rope IjJ this energy-absorbing element at an anchoring point is attached to the ceiling of the cabin, possibly with the insertion of a turnbuckle.

At least one second energy absorbing element 16 of the type shown in Figures 2 and 5 is below

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'ν

attached to the seat and articulated on the one hand at YJ to the seat and on the other hand at 18 to the floor of the cabin.

It is understandable that this or those energy-absorbing elements Elements 10 constitute the main energy absorbing elements while the one or more energy absorbing elements Elements 16 for damping the longitudinal direction Movement components especially in the event of an impact at a pitch angle of 30 °.

It has proven to be desirable for individual seats to arrange two energy-absorbing main elements 10 in parallel. For a two-seat seat, it is useful to have two or to provide three such main energy absorbing elements.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 are a support frame 19 and guide devices 20 for the seat opposite the support frame provided.

The rope IJ of the main energy absorbing element is in in this case attached to the horizontal part of the seat and not to the ceiling of the cabin.

It is understood that the described embodiments of the energy-absorbing element and in particular the application in a device for protection against an impact for the seats of helicopters are only examples and that a large number of other applications are possible is without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Claims (16)

Dipi .-! Ng. Curt Wallach Dipl.-Ing. Günther Koch Dipl.-Phys. Dr Tino Haibach Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Feldkamp D-8000 Munich 2 · Kaufingerstraße 8 · Telephone (0 89) 24 02 75 ■ Telex 5 29 513 wakai d Date: April 26, 1978 Our reference: l6 2 ^ 8 - Fk / Ne Patent claims: 1.) Energy-absorbing element to be inserted between two structural elements which are connected to one another and which can be subjected to an impact, characterized in that the energy-absorbing element a tubular metallic jacket (1) which is attached to a structural element and over at least a part its length contains a cartridge or an insert (2) made of elastomeric material, as well as one made of metal Has cutting part (4) which is connected to the other component and in the jacket (1) in the Mowing the end of the insert (2) is attached in such a way that it is driven into the elastomeric material in the event of an impact and runs through the insert over at least part of its length. 2. Energy-absorbing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the consisting of metal Cutting part (4) is fastened in such a way that it is pulled through the insert (2) in the longitudinal direction in the event of an impact will. 3. Energy-absorbing element according to claim 2, characterized in that the consisting of metal Cutting part is attached to the end of a rope (3) that attached with its other end to the other component _ 2 - χ. ι ■ ι <- * "3" .I ii is and located inside the insert (2) along its longitudinal axis and over at least the greater part of its Length extends. 4. Energy-absorbing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the existing metal Cutting part (4) is fastened in such a way that it is pressed in the longitudinal direction through the insert (2) in the event of an impact will. 5. Energy-absorbing element according to claim 4, characterized it indicates that the cutting part made of metal is connected to the end of a piston rod (5) is, the other end of which is connected to the other component, while the metallic jacket (1) of the energy-absorbing Element is attached to the first component and forms the piston. 6. Energy-absorbing element according to claim 5 * thereby characterized in that the piston rod (5; and the metal jacket (1) are each articulated with one end are attached to one of the components. J. Energy-absorbing element according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the cutting part (4) made of metal is slidably mounted on a longitudinally extending central axis (8) which is seen at least over the greater part of the length of the insert ( 2) extends. 8. Energy-absorbing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the metal jacket (1) and the insert (2) made of elastomeric material have a circular cross-section. ORIGINAL INSPECTED 2Β18355 9 · Energy absorbing element according to claim 8, characterized in characterized in that the diameter of the insert (2) is smaller than the inner diameter of the metal jacket (1) is. 10. Energy-absorbing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the made of metal cutting part (4) is embedded in the elastomeric material. 11. Energy-absorbing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the elastomeric material is subjected to a pre-compression. 12. Energy-absorbing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the existing metal cutting part (4) has a parallelepiped shape, which is tapered by a Part is elongated and through which a longitudinal central opening extends. 13 · Energy-absorbing element according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cutting part made of metal is cruciform Has cross-section, the central part of which is provided with an opening extending therethrough. 14. Use of an energy-absorbing element according to one of the preceding claims as a fall protection device for helicopter seats, characterized that at least one energy-absorbing element (10, 16) according to one of the preceding Claims between the seat (11) and the cabin of the helicopter is arranged. 8098U / 0 992 15 · Use according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one energy-absorbing Element (10) according to one of Claims 2 and 3, arranged in the backrest of the seat (11) along the latter is. 16. Use according to one of claims 14 and 15, characterized marked that at least one energy-absorbing element (16) according to one of claims 4 to 7 is located under the seat (11) between the seat and the floor of the cabin. 8098M / 0982