GB2334319A

GB2334319A - Multiple use energy absorption element

Info

Publication number: GB2334319A
Application number: GB9826063A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pavlos Yiannakopoulos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-09
Filing date: 1998-11-30
Publication date: 1999-08-18
Also published as: GR1003077B; SE9804308D0; GB9826063D0; DE19857927A1

Abstract

An element absorbing the energy which derives as a result of a suddenly exerted force, acting on fastening security systems, such as vehicle seat belts, protection belts against fall, systems for shielding and protection from side collisions of automobile doors, parachutes, ejectable seats of fighter planes, etc. is characterised by that it operates alternatively or in combination with linear tear-off, detachment, and deformation of a metallic blade 15 along the length of predetermined deformation lines 16a,16b and may be activated at will for a range of values of the suddenly exerted force with differentiation of the parameters of the predetermined deformation lines along the length of the element, whereas it contains apart of the deformed metallic blade an independent mobile part 24 along the length of the blade for the transfer of the suddenly exerted force to the blade and a carrier of the deformation. The element for absorbing the energy, due to use of the said independent part, maintains the same length before and after its action.

Description

MULTIPLE USE ENERGY ABSORPTION ELEMENT The invention refers to an element for energy absorption, in particular of the energy that derives as a result of a suddenly exerted force, where such element suitably adapted for use with security fastening systems , applied to humans or animals and objects, offers the ability to manage energy, so as to minimise its negative effects on the fastened persons.

The use of elements for energy absorption has been widely known in conjunction with the security belts of vehicles and aeroplanes when it was observed that the forces suddenly exerted by the chest part of the safety belt to the passengers, which due to inertia tend to move forward, in the case of collision, result in an instantaneous high pressure knock on the chest resulting in breakage or strain of the bones and damage of the heart or other-vital organs. Such elements for energy absorption, attached at suitable position of the security belt are aimed to act so that, activated when the force exerted to the security belt overcomes some predetermined limit, to absorb part of the collision energy and to limit the unfavourable consequences due to the exertion of instantaneous high pressure knock at the chest of the passenger. These elements, also known as force limiters, are usually positioned into the rotating element of the belt or between that element and a suitable wall of the vehicle. Such a type of element for absorbing the energy as revealed by patent WO 96/20853 is the metallic plate, one end of which fitted into the vehicle and which contains an intermediate part of a blade extending along predetermined lines which is connected to the rotating element of the security belt, so that it is torn along the predetermined lines, when a force exceeding some limit is exerted by the security belt, or more accurately by the passenger moving forward due to inertia in the case of a collision.

A disadvantage associated with the use of such elements for energy absorption of the existing technology is the high degree of extension of the belt during the operation of the element, which is due to the fact that due to the torn apart said part between the predetermined lines, the length of the element is almost double and the belt accordingly extended.

This fact renders the security belt inactive as the fastened passenger may, due to the extension of the belt be catapulted forward or slide under the waist part of the belt, plunge forward and be wounded.

Another disadvantage related to the above manner of operation of the elements for energy absorption of the existing technology is that the torn blade part between the predetermined lines, performs as it is torn a movement along a particular arc of rotation at some distance to the fixed part of the plate. The space required for this movement is obviously critical for the limited space of the vehicle.

The above two disadvantages of the said elements for energy absorption due to instantaneously exerted forces of the existing technology render them non - suitable for application in other security systems as for addition to the protective bars in car windows for protection from side collisions or for security belts used by building workers, mountaineers, or ejected seats of pilots of fighter planes, etc.

Another disadvantage of the elements for energy absorption of the existing technology aimed for application with vehicle security belts is that the attachment is effected in a manner so that followir.g their activation the system of security belts does not have to be fully replaced.

Thus, a principal objective of the present invention is to offer an element for absorbing the energy, suitable for advantageous use with security belts of vehicles and aeroplanes, and for a variety of other applications, such as protective bars of automobile doors, security belts of building workers or mountaineers, ejectable seats of fighter aeroplanes pilots, parachutes, transportation of large animals (e.g. horses for races) and merchandise (e.g. vehicles, boats etc.) loaded on trailers, and several other applications, due to the proposed small length of extension required during its operation, as the length of the element remains the same before and after the action of the element and due to the linear, along tearing -off along the length of the element itself between tracing lines of a blade, which causes a smooth, linear absorption of the energy and smaller space requirements for installation and operation.

An additional disadvantage of the elements for energy absorption of the existing technology, as they are in particular utilised in conjunction with vehicle security belts, is that they are designed so that they are activated in only one predetermined force exerted by the passenger moving forward due to inertia in the case of collision, a force usually predetermined to correspond to a collision at a speed of 55 lan/h. This renders the elements of the existing technology inactive and not able to offer protection in a wide range of collision speed values.

Thus, a second objective of the present invention is to offer to the proposed element for absorbing the energy for security belts of vehicles and aeroplanes, as well as for a variety of other applications with the advantageous capability of activation in a wide range of values of speed of collision, and more accurately, in the range of values of the instantaneously exerted force required for activation, the said capability achieved alternative methods of construction and operation, featuring a blade which is torn and distorted along predetermined tracing lines or a detachment of the blades along the length of predetermined welding lines and furthermore featuring the determination of tracing and/ or detachment lines of a variable number and depth, along the length of the deformation line of the element for absorbing the energy.

These and other objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become evident in the analytical description that follows with reference to indicative preferred applications and the respective drawings attached, where: BnlefDeslctbn of the Draws Drawing 1 A illustrates a perspective view of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention, as delivered as a marketable product.

Drawing 1B illustrates a side view of the illustrated in Drawing IA final product - element for absorbing the energy.

Drawing 2A illustrates a perspective view of the internal part of the element for absorbing the energy which according to a preferred application of the invention operates with linear detachment of a blade between tracing lines. Drawing 2B illustrates a side view of the internal part of the element for absorbing the energy of the first preferred application of the invention illustrated in Drawing 2A.

Drawing 2C illustrates a perspective view of the element for absorbing the energy of drawing 2A with the linearly mobile detachment part disassembled.

Drawing 3A illustrates a perspective view of the illustrated in Drawing 2A element following its action. Drawing 3B illustrates a cut of a detail of the part of the blade of the element of Drawing 3A, during its progressive detachment.

Drawing 3C illustrates a side view of the element illustrated in Drawing 3A , following its action.

Drawing 4A illustrates a perspective view of the internal part of the element for absorbing the energy which according to a second preferred application of the invention operates with detachment of blades along predetermined welding lines.

Drawing 4B illustrates a perspective view of the illustrated in Drawing 4A element following its action.

Drawing 5A illustrates a longitudinal cross section of a welding line of the element of the drawings 4A and 4B.

Drawing SB illustrates a cross section of the element of drawings 4A and 4B with an illustrated pair of welding lines.

Drawing 6A illustrates a perspective view of the independent, mobile part which is connected to the element for absorbing the energy of the invention and to the security fastening system.

Drawing 6B illustrates a side view of the part illustrated in Drawing 6A.

The drawings 7A, 7B illustrate a perspective view of the typical element for absorbing the energy which is attached to a commercially available security belt of a vehicle, before and following its action.

The Drawings 8A, 8B illustrate a perspective view of the proposed element for absorbing the energy of the invention attached to a vehicle security belt, before and following its action.

Drawing 8C illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle seat with a security belt connected to the proposed element for absorbing the energy of the invention where the connection is effected to the lower attachment point of the rotator of the safety belt and inside one leg of the column of the vehicle.

Drawing 8D illustrates a perspective view of the detail of drawing 8C, where the proposed element for absorbing the energy of the invention is illustrated indicatively attached inside the leg of the intermediate column of the body of the vehicle.

Drawing 8E illustrates a side view of the connection detail of the element of the invention with the rotating part of the security belt.

Drawing 8F illustrates a perspective view of the rotating part of the safety belt with the attachment parts to the element of the invention.

Drawing 8G illustrates a perspective view of the vehicle seat with a security belt connected to the proposed element for absorbing the energy of the invention, where the connection is effected at the upper attachment point of the security belt Drawing 8H illustrates in detail the connection of the element of the invention at the upper attachment point of the security belt.

Drawings 81, 8J illustrate a detail in perspective of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention, attached to the upper connection point of the safety belt before and following its action.

Drawing 8K illustrates a perspective drawing of the action of the upper attachment point of the safety belt to the passenger fastened with the security belt vehicle.

Drawing 8L illustrates a perspective view of a seat vehicle and a connection detail of the safety belt with the proposed element for absorbing the energy of the invention, where the connection is effected at the floor of the vehicle.

Drawing 8M illustrates a perspective view and a plan view of a vehicle cabin and the connection of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention to a security belt connected to the roof of a racing vehicle.

Drawing 9A illustrates a dynamic contour of the force which, in the case of collision, is exerted to the security belt by the passenger who is moving forward due to inertia, when no element for absorbing the energy is used in the belt (broken lines) and when such element is used (solid lines).

The Drawings 9B, 9C illustrate a front view of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention connected to the rotating part of the security belt, before and following its action, in conjunction with the time periods determined in the diagram of the drawing.

Drawing 1OA illustrates an indicative security bar attached to a vehicle door.

Drawing 10B illustrates the connection of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention to the bar of Drawing lOA.

Drawing lOC illustrates a detailed perspective view a vehicle door with the security bar bearing the element of the invention.

Drawing lOD illustrates a perspective view of the application of the element of the invention to a security bar of a vehicle door, following action of the element.

Drawing 10E illustrates the connection of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention to a security wire rope of an indicative type.

Drawing lOF illustrates details along the length of security wire rope of Drawing lOE.

Drawing lOG illustrates a perspective view in detail of the door of a vehicle with the security wire rope bearing the element of the invention.

Drawing 10H illustrates a perspective view of the application of the element of the invention to a security wire rope of a vehicle door following action of the element.

Drawing 10I illustrates a side view of a vehicle with built - in to the side doors security wire ropes bearing the elements for absorbing the energy of the invention.

Drawing lOJ illustrates a perspective view of the detail of a vehicle door with a parallel arrangement of a security belt and a security bar built into the door, each being connected with an element for absorbing the energy of the invention.

Drawing 10K illustrates a perspective view in detail of a vehicle door with a vertical arrangement of a security wire rope and a security bar built into the door, each being connected with an element for absorbing the energy of the invention.

Drawing lOL illustrates a perspective view of a detail of a vehicle door with a built - in, belt, extending to the side and connected to an element for absorbing the energy of the invention.

Drawing lIA illustrates a dynamic diagram of the force, which in the case of a side collision of the vehicle is exerted to the door when the element for absorbing the energy of the invention is not used connected to the security bar of the vehicle (broken lines). and when the element for absorbing the energy of the invention is used indeed (solid lines) - The Drawings 11B, llC illustrate a perspective view of the detail of a vehicle door bearing a security bar with the element for absorbing the energy of the invention, before and after the action of the element, in conjunction with the time periods determined at the diagram of the drawing llA.

Drawing 12 illustrates the application of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention in a security belt, due to a fall.

Drawing 12A illustrates a dynamic diagram of the forces which, in the case of a fall, are exerted to a person fastened with a security belt when the element for absorbing the energy of the invention is not used (broken lines) and when the element for absorbing the energy of the invention is used(solid lines).

The drawings 12B, 12C illustrate a perspective view of the person fastened with the security belt bearing the elements for absorbing the energy of the invention, before and after the fall and action of the element, in conjunction with the time periods determined in the diagram of the drawing 12A.

Drawing 13A illustrates a perspective view of the force exerted to an ejected seat of an operator of a fighter plane.

Drawing 13B illustrates a perspective view of the proposed by the present invention unit of belts built into or outside the seat of drawing 13A with the connected elements for absorbing the energy of the invention.

Drawing 13C illustrates a perspective view of the unit of belts with connected elements for absorbing the energy of drawing 13B following its action on the ejected seat.

Drawing 13D illustrates a dynamic diagram of the forces applied to the operator of an ejectable seat of a fighter plane when the element for absorbing the energy of the invention is not used (broken lines) and when the element for absorbing the energy of the invention is used (solid lines).

Drawings 13E, 13F, 13G illustrate a perspective view of the bearing the operator of the plane ejectable seat in conjunction with the time periods determined in the diagram of the drawing 13D.

Drawing 13H illustrates a perspective view of a detail of the application of the invention to an ejectable seat of a plane with the unit of belts in vertical arrangement, equipped with the elements for absorbing the energy of the invention and built inside or outside the seat.

Drawing 13I illustrates a perspective view of a detail of an alternative to that of drawing 13H, arrangement of the belts' unit.

Debased tetbn of preferred applkNotas With reference to the accompanying drawings, indicative, preferred applications of the invention will be described.

As a final marketable product, the element for absorbing the energy 1 of the invention is a rectangular part with its parallel, equally sized edges la, Ib longer than its other parallel, equally sized edges ic, ld. In relation to this construction, the length of the sizes la, lb is meant as length of element 1 and the length of the sides Ic, id is meant as width of the element. The element 1 appears more voluptuous near the edge 1d due to its shaping in this region for attachment of the part 24 for the transfer of load to the element 1 by forces exerted to the security fastening system, such as security belts of vehicles - aeroplanes, security belts for building workers, mountaineers etc. or to alternative applications of the same element in security systems, such as protective bars of automobile doors, ejectable seats of fighter planes, KArt.

Covered by the case 10 which is necessary for the protection of the metallic body of the element 1, which case may be manufactured from any suitable material, such as foamy plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, leather, etc., the element exhibits, near the edge ld, an opening lOa along the transverse, from which the edge of the part 24 bearing a hole 25a for the transfer to the element 1 of the instantaneously exerted to the safety fastening system force, protrudes. The element 1 is connected to each security fastening system or any security system in general, through the hole 25a of the part 24. Near the edge id, the element for absorbing the energy 1 bears an additional transverse hole 19 with which the element 1 is connected to a fixed position.

Inside the case 10, the element 1 contains the suitably shaped metallic body of the element 1 and the suitably attached to it mobile part for the transfer of load 24 by the existing security fastening system to the body of the element 1, where when a force, exceeding a predetermined value, is exerted on the part 24, the latter moves along the length of predetermined deformation lines of the metallic body so that the energy of the suddenly exerted force is absorbed during the period of deformation of the element 1.

According to a first indicative preferred application of the invention, as illustrated in Drawing 2A, it is proposed that the element 1 operates with linear detachment of a blade between the tracing lines. In this case, a length of a blade 15 is used, somehow longer than the element 1 as this is offered as a final product (Drawing 1A), so that the ability of folding of the blade at the ends of the edges lc and Id is offered, where this folding is effected in an opposite direction of rotation to the two opposite edges lc and ld with the length of each of the folded ends of the blade Sc and 5d selected so that the ability of strong attachment of the edges of the blade via the nails 20a, 20b to the lower end near the edge lc and via nails 21a, 21b to the upper end near the edge 1d is provided.

A desirable number of parallel tracing lines is provided along the upper and lower length of the principal surface 15 of the blade and, according to the illustrated application, a pair of parallel tracing lines 16a, 16b is provided, extending by a pair of upper terminal points 7a, 7b where the tearing - off starts up to a pair of detonation holes 17a, 17b near the lower edge lc of the blade 15 where the tear-off is terminated. The blade 15a defined between the tracing lines 16a, 16b, rigidly fixed by the nails 21a, 21b at the top and 20a, 20b at the bottom, on either side of the blades 15b, 15c is torn - off, starting from points 7a, 7b and is folded with an opposite direction of rotation by that in which the end of the blade Sd which contains the parts of the blade 15b and 15c which are fixed'on either side with the nails 21a, 21b, folded. In this manner, opening 6 for the enclosure of the mobile part for the transfer of the load 24, is defined between the positions 7a, 7b and the fixed end of the blade 5d.

A metallic blade 18 is used between the principal surface of the blade of the folded edge 5d, extending along the whole length of the blades 15a, 15b, 15c, which thus form an integral, strongly connected unit cut by the hole fixing 19.

As illustrated in Drawings 6A, 6B, the independent mobile part for the transfer of the force exerted to the security fastening system to the blade 15, consists of one integral blade 24, which is bent along the length of the straight line 24d which extends along the transverse direction, so that its first part 24a is defined, extending in parallel to the principal surface 15 of the blade and a second part 24b at a lower connection level of the part 24 inside the opening 6.

The part 24a, extending in parallel to the principal surface of the blade 15, bears the hole 25a for connection to each security fastening system, whereas the other part 24b of the part for the transfer of the load 24 bears an opening 25b with a width almost relative to the width of the torn-off blade 15a, which passes through it before the folding and fixing to the hole 19, where the part 24 can no more come off and is enclosed inside the opening 6, obstructed by the transversely extending arm 7, which extends along the whole width of the blade 15a which is torn off during the action of the element for absorbing the energy.

Opposite to what holds for means for energy absorption of the existing technology, as known from their application in vehicle security belts, which consist of an integral blade, where the part bound to be torn -off is the means of attachment to the sectrity belt, the means for energy absorption proposed by the present invention is a system of two elements, one similar to the blade 15 and one independent part 24 for attachment to the security belt.

With the use of the independent part for the transfer of load 24, implementation of the objective of the invention is achieved for an advantageously small extension length of the fastening system during the period of action of the element, this being also evident by the comparison of the images in Drawings 7A-B and 8A-B, where the operation of a commercially available element for absorbing the energy and the operation of the element according to the invention are illustrated. From this comparison, the smaller volume and length of installation and operation of the element of the invention is evident.

With the use of the element for absorbing the energy with a torn - off blade of the invention, further significant advantages are achieved, such as the smoothening of the tearing- off process of the blade 15 with the linear and in parallel to the principal surface of the blade 15 displacement of the part 24 for the transfer of load to the element 1, the linear displacement of the point of application of the force during the tearing - off track of the blade 15a, and the consequent progressive simultaneous deformation of the torn - off blade 15a and its blades 15b and 15c, fixed on either side of it , as well as the distribution of the force along the length of the arm 7 and hence along the overall width of the torn- off blade 15a throughout the tearing - off process. Thus, the use of an independent part 24 for the transfer of load of the element 1 gives the ability of an incomparably more accurate and easier design of the whole element for absorbing the energy for security fastening systems, as its behaviour becomes practically predictable.

As illustrated in the drawings 4A-4B and 5A-5B, according to alternative preferred application of the invention it is proposed that the element 1 operates with a detachment of the blade surfaces welded from the construction stage along the length of predetermined welding lines. In this case a length of blade is used, almost double the length of element 1, as this is offered as a final product (Drawing 1A), so that it the ability for folding of the blade 45 at the ends of the edge ic, of welding (in any suitable technique, such as strong welding or welding with laser beams, etc.) of the two surfaces 45a, 45b along the length of predetermined welding lines, is offered, such as the illustrated welding lines 46, until the region near the edge ld of the end of the element, where once an opening 6 is made, where the arm 7 of the part for the transfer of load 24 is entered, the free ends become adjacent and are strongly fixed using nails 21a, 21b, whereas the same transverse hole 19 is used for the connection of the element to a fixed position.

Similarly, in this case, the part 24 which is connected to the security fastening system is displaced when a predetermined force is exerted on it along the length of the blade 15, achieving smooth and controlled detachment of the surfaces 45a, 45b, with a parallel, continuous displacement of the point of application of the force in the track of detachment of the surfaces 45a, 45b and consequently a progressive, simultaneous deformation of the blade 45 parallel with the detachment and the distribution of the force along the whole of the length of the arm 7 and hence along the whole of the width of the detached surfaces 45a, 45b. Similarly, the design of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention for the above reasons becomes easier and more accurate.

In the accompanying drawings 4A-B and 5A-B a welding of the blades 45a, 45b is indicatively shown with the method of resistance welding by covering the blades 45a, 45b with continuous welding seams 46, each having a length L and width W, where during the welding strong electric current is used for heating the sides of the blades to be welded, which during their contact are melted and with the exertion of pressure along the length of the seams, penetration of the molecules of one into the other occurs at a depth D.

The elements for absorbing the energy of the invention, depending on the nominal value of the energy they are due to absorb, are made with suitable design of their parameters.

In what concerns the elements designed on the basis of the first proposed applicatn O an element for absorbing the energy which operates with linear detachment and deformation of a blade in between predetermined tracing lines, the variable parameters may be in principal the thickness of the blade in conjunction with the depth of tracing' along the length of the detachment lines.

In what concerns the elements designed on the basis of the second proposed application, the element which operates with welding of surfaces of blade along the length predetermined welding lines at their manufacturing stage, the variable parameters may principally be the thickness of the blade in conjunction with the depth of the welding seams, as well as the length, width and depth of penetration of the molecules of the blades in each welding seam.

The overall length of the element, which defines the active length of linear displacement of the arm 7 along the length of the blade, is also, in any case, a factor for determining the nominal value of energy absorbed.

According to an advantageous preferred application of the invention for the implementation of the objective of the invention for the offer of an element for absorbing the energy with the advantageous capability of activation and provision of protection to a range of values of speed of collision, the alteration of the above determined variable parameters in a manner that is altered along the length of each element 1, the resistance to the tearing - off, deformation, or detachment, depends on the type of the element used.

For example, according to a preferred application of the invention, as illustrated in Drawings 3A-C, the element which operates with linear detachment and deformation of a blade between predetermined tracing lines 16a, 16b, becomes of a variable, along the length resistance with the change of the depth of tracing (Dl > D2) along the length of the tracing lines 16a, 16b.

Indicatively, the element for absorbing the energy may consist of a blade of a thickness of 3 mm and the depth of tracing Dl, which in the beginning is in the order the 0.9 mm and then of the order of 0.8 mm. The ability of attachment of the element which operates with detachment of the blade surfaces welded during manufacturing along the length of predetermined welding lines, to the desired target of the invention, for activation and element which operates in the basis of the torn-off blade of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention, the element which operates on the basis of the detached surfaces and oppositely may be satisfactorily used. As illustrated in Drawings 8C-8F, the element for absorbing the energy 1 of the invention is attached to a security belt 40 of a seat of a vehicle 36, where the security belt 40 is of a conventional type with three support points (two points 31, 35 for attachment to the floor on either side of the seat 36 and one upper support point 29 in the middle column 30 of the body of the vehicle) and contains part of the chest belt 32, extending diagonally in front of the shoulder of the seated person, from the upper support point 29 to the joint 34 which is attached to the edge of the main body which is fixed to the support point 31 on the floor, which also bears the locking case 28 of the belt, the part of the belt 33 in the waist of the seated person extending from the joint 34 up to floor support point 35 to the other side of the seat 36, and a part of the belt 27 extending along the length of the middle column 30 of the body from the upper support point 29 up to a lower support position 38 where the rotating part 26 of the belt 27 is installed.

In this application, the element for absorbing the energy 1 of the invention is installed, connected to the rotating part 26 and the leg of the middle column 30 of the body of the vehicle. In particular, the hole 19 of the element 1 is connected with a blade to the support point 38 -at the base of the column 30 via a connecting part 38a, whereas the hole 25a of the mobile part for the transfer of load 24 is connected to a support base 37 of the rotating part 26 via a connecting part 37a.

Alternatively, as illustrated in the Drawings 8G-8K, the element for absorbing the energy 1 of the invention is adapted to the same security belt 40, however, to the upper support point 29 to the side of the middle column 30 of the body. At this point, the grooved clip 55 is provided, through which the body part of the belt 2t extending vertically along the length of the middle column 30, passes for continuing its extension to the chest part of the belt 32 of the security belt. In this case, the hole 25a of the mobile part 24 for the transfer of load is connected to the grooved connector 55, whereas the hole 19 of the element 1 is connected to to the position 29 of the base of the column 30, via a connecting part 29a and with the interference of a spring 56 via which the element 1 has the ability to move and return the element, within certain tolerance limits, as it is subject to a pull of the chest part 32 of the security belt.

According to another alternative application of the invention, as illustrated in Drawing 8L, the element for energy absorption 1 appears connected to the opposite side of the floor of the body, i.e. between two seats of the cabin of the vehicle, where the hole 19 of the element 1 is connected to a blade 57 via a connecting part 57a, whereas the hole 25a of the mobile part 24 is connected via a connection part 31a to a blade 31 of the security belt.

According to another alternative application of the invention, as illustrated in Drawing 8M, the element for absorbing the energy 1 is attached to a security belt of a racing type 58 and in particular the hole 19 of the element is connected via a part 61a to a side upper attachment position 61 and the hole 25a of the mobile part 24 is connected to the part 60 of the belt via the connection part 51a.

In another application of the invention, the element 1 for energy absorption of the invention is proposed as a part for system for shielding the sides of automobile doors, such as bars, security wire ropes and belts and contributes to the dampening of knock-on loads from side collisions.

As illustrated in Drawing lOC, the element for absorbing the energy of the invention is attached to one edge 63 of the security belt 62 (Drawing 10A) and in particular to the fastening hole 63a of the edge 63 of the bar (Drawing 10B) is connected the hole 25a of the mobile part 24 of the element 1 via connection parts 63b, whereas the hole 19 of the element 1, is fixed via the connection parts 66a to an internal position of the side of the door 65 of a vehicle, reinforced with a blade 66, to which the edge 63 of the security bar 62 is fitted. The security belt may be of any conventional commercially available type, as e.g. of a circular cross section (tube pipe, tubeshaped) or with a flattened blades shape etc. As illustrated in Drawing lOD, the element for absorbing the energy attached to the edge of the security bar 62 results with its action in dampening the energy deriving as a result of a side collision with force F.

Alternatively, instead of the bar, a connection of the element for absorbing the energy 1 to a wire rope 70 (Drawing 10E) is proposed, where the edge 71 of the wire rope passes through a hole 25a of the mobile part for the transfer of load 24 and returns for being connected strongly with a connector 71a, as shown in detail in drawing 10F, whereas the hole 19 of the element 1 is connected, as before, via a connection part 72a to an internal position of the side of the door 65 of a vehicle (Drawing lOG), reinforced with a blade 72. The wire rope may be of any type of steel or rope cable or commercially availablesecurity belt. Similarly, in Drawing 10H the action of the element 1 attached to a door of a vehicle is illustrated during the side collision. Drawings lOJ- 10L illustrate various of the possible combinations and arrangements for the reinforcement of automobile doors for protection from side collisions, such as bars 62, wire ropes 70 and belts 76, where the element 1 for energy absorption of the invention is advantageously used.

In another field of application, the element 1 for energy absorption of the invention is proposed as a part of security belts which are utilised for protection from fall, as in the indicative example of drawing 12, where a building worker is shown, to the body 78 of which the security belt passes 79, connected via the belt 80 to a fixed metallic beam 81. The interference of the element 1 for energy absorption of the invention between the belts 79 and 80 with connection of the hole 19 to the belt 79 and of the hole 25a to the belt 80 results in dampening the knock-on load exerted by the belt to the body of the user in the case of fall. In an analogy, the element I for energy absorption of the invention is applied to each case where the risk of falling exists, as in the case of the cables with which the mountaineers are tied for the sake of security during their ascent.

Drawings 13A-13I illustrate the application Qf the element 1 for energy absorption of the invention to an ejectable seat 85 of a fighter plane's pilot 95. For dampening the energy due to the ejection force F and for preventing the exertion of a load that exceeds a predetermined limit and that may cause irrevocable damage on the body of the operator 86 and in particular along the length of its spinal chord 86a, the seat bears an arrangement of belts 87, 87a. According to the illustration, a pair of belts 87 is extended in parallel cutting through the base-edge 85a and the back 87b of the seat. In between the parallel to the base - edge of the seat belts 87, another arrangement of parallel belts 87 (Drawing 13HA, which is completed with an arrangement of transverse reinforcing belts 87a. Another possible arrangement of belts is illustrated in Drawings 13B and 13I.

The elements for energy absorption of the invention are utilised alternatively to one of the edges of the belts 87, to the side of the base - edge 85a of the seat or to its front end or a combination of the two. The connection is effected with the edges 89 of the belts 87 which are connected via connection parts 89a to the hole !25a of the mobile part 24 of respective elements 1, whereas the other hole 19 of the element 1 is fixed to reinforced positions 90 of the body of the seat via connection parts 90a. The action of elements for energy absorption of the invention which are in this manner connected to the seat is such so that the transferred, instantaneous energy released during the ejection of the seat, to the body of the operator is dampened.

For any of the above mentioned applications of the invention, dynamic diagrams are provided where the action of the elements for energy absorption of the invention is illustrated in comparison with the results deriving when such elements are not used.

Indicatively, with reference to the dynamic diagram of the drawing 9A, which refers to the use of the elements for energy absorption of the invention to security belts of vehicles, the operation of the safety belt without the element for energy absorption of the invention is illustrated with the broken lines as a function of the force F exerted by the body of the passenger moving forward due to inertia in the case of a head-on collision relative to the time T elapsing since the moment of the application of the force (time T = 0 sec).

At first, at a time T1 (about 19 msecs after the collision) the braking mechanism of the rotating part 26 of the belt which results in the gradual tightening of the chest part of the belt of the passenger is activated , due to the movement of the passenger forward due to inertia. As a result of this tightening, the knock to the chest of the passenger reaches a maximum in the order of 7000- 7500 N. in the case where the element for absorbing the energy of the invention is used, the increased after T1 force to the belt is transferred to the element for absorbing the energy, the action of which starts at a time T2 (about 32-38 msec after the collision) when the force exerted to it is sufficient for starting the tearing - off and/or detachment of the blades which lasts up to the time period T3 (about 65 msec after the collision), when the activity of the element for absorbing the energy is completed, then the energy of the collision is transferred without any obstruction to the security belt (time period T3-TEl), where the air bag has been inflated and the risk of exertion of a very high force to the chest of the passenger does not exist. During the action of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention, the maximum exerted force lies in the region of about 3.000 N.

In a similar manner, the diagrams of drawing lIA may be read, as referring to the use of the element for absorbing the energy of the invention to a protective arrangement of security devices for side collisions (bars, wire ropes, belts) of automobile doors, of drawing 12A which refers to the use of the element to belts for protection from falls and of the drawing 13D which refers to the use of the element of the invention to ejectable seats of fighter planes.

It must be noted that the description of the invention has been effected with reference to indicative examples of applications by which it is not limited. Thus, any alteration to what concerns the described shapes, sizes, arrangements, materials and parts of construction and assembly, techniques applied to the construction and operation of the elements for energy absorption of the invention, should they do not constitute a new invention step and do not form a technical evolution of what is already known, are considered to form part of the aims and intentions of the present invention as defined in the claims following.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) Element for absorbing the energy deriving as a result of a suddenly exerted force to a security fastening system to which the element is attached, consisting of a generally oblong rectangular metallic blade shaped so that it contains: an opening (6) for the reception and for the enclosure of an independent mobile part (24) for the transfer of any suddenly exerted force to the said metallic blade, where the said mobile part (2t) consists oz an integral blade with z part (24a) bearing 2 central hole (25a) protruding Via the said opening (6) and extending parallel to the surface of the said metallic blade, where via the said opening (25a) the element for energy absorption is connected to the bearing the suddenly exerted force system and a part (24b) bearing an oblong rectangular opening (25b) formed by the walls of the said part (24b) and by 2 terminal arm (7) extending along the width of the said metallic blade with a length relative to the width of the said opening (6), where when at least part of the said metallic blade passes through the opening (25b), the said independent mobile part (24) for the transfer of any suddenly exerted force to the said metallic blade is enclosed, a hole (19) near the said opening (6) for the reception and for the enclosure of the said independent mobile part (24) for the transfer of any suddenly exerted force to the said metallic blade, where the terminal hole (19) cuts the principal surface of the said metallic blade and its surface which folded and touches the principal surface, where via the said terminal hole (19) the element for absorbing the energy is connected to a fixed position, and predetermined deformation lines along the length of the said metallic blade, so that when a force suddenly exerted to the security fastening system bearing the element for absorbing the energy occurs, should this force exceeds the limit necessary for starting the longitudinal deformation of the said predetermined deformation lines along the leng h of the said metallic blade, the force is converted during a definite predeterr.irled time period which corresponds to the linear displacement of the said independent mobile part (24) from one end to the other of the said metallic blade to a pulling force of the said part (24) nd a force exerting deformation pressure of the said metallic blade by the linearly displaced said arm (7) of the mobile part (24) for the transfer of the suddenly exerted force to the said metallic blade.

2) Element for absorbing the energy deriving as a result of a force suddenly exerted onto z security fastening system to which the element is attached, according to the above claim 1, where the said metallic, blade is an oblong rectangular metallic blade (15) folded in the opposite direction of rotation on the two opposite ends with folding of parts of the blade (5c, 5d) -and fixing of the principal surface of the blade with the folded end of the blade (5c) using nails (20a,20b) for the formation of a terminal end of the path of the said mobile part (24) which is displaced along the length of the said blade and on the other hand of the principal surface of the blade with the avaoLnA=9ev other end of the blade (5d) using nails (21a, 21b) for the formation of a starting edge of the path of the said mobile part (24) which is displaced along the length of the said blade (15 and where the said predetermined deformation lines are parallel tracing lines (16a, 16b) along the length on either sides of the surface of the blade (15), extending by a pair of terminal starting points (7a, 7b) up to a pair of terminal points (17at 17b) for the termination of the path of the said mobile part (24) which is displaced along the length of the said blade, where in between the tracing lines (16a, 16b) the part (15a) is torr. after the terminal points (7a, 7b) and defines the said opening (6) for the reception and enclosure of the part (24) as it passes through the opening (25b) of the part (24) and folded at the edge in a direction opposite of the parts of the blade (15b, 15c) on either side with a metallic blade (18) positioned in between the principal surface of the blade and its avQo-Sw9C os end (5d) extending along the whole length of the blades (15a,, i5b, 15c) for the formation of an integral, strongly connected unit passed by -the said fixing hole(19), where when a force is suddenly exerted to the element bearing the security fastening system and this force has a predetermined value, this force is converted to a pulling force of the said linearly displaced part (24) and force for the exertion of deformation pressure of the said metallic blade by the arm (7) of the part (24), which causes a tearing - off of the intermediate part of the tracing (16a, 16b) lines of a part of a blade (15a) and a simultaneous deformation of the blades (15a,15b,15c), the tear-off length being defined by the distance between the said starting - up points (7a, 7b) and the terminal points (17a,17b) of the path of the said mobile part (24) for the transfer of the suddenly exerted force to the said metallic blade 3) Element for absorbing the energy deriving as a result of a force suddenly exerted onto a security fastening system to which the element is attached, according to the above claim 2, where the nominal value of energy that the element can absorb during its action is defined in conjunction with the length and the thickness of the blade and the depth of tracing along the length of the predetermined tracing lines, and where with the differentiation cf the depth of tracing of the predetermined tracing lines (16a, 15b) along the length of the blade (15) the element for absorbing the energy illustrates a variable resistance along the length and hence sets into activation in a range of predetermined values of the suddenly exerted force 4) Element for absorbing the energy deriving as a result of a force suddenly exerted onto a security fastening system to which the element is attached, according to the above claim 1, where the said metallic blade is an oblong rectangular metallic blade (45) which folded for the formation of equally sized, adjacent surfaces (45a, 45b), where the folding end defines the terminal end of the path said mobile part (24) which is displaced along the length of the said blade and the other end where the free ends of the adjacent surfaces (45a, 45b) meet bears the said nails (21a, 21b) fixing of the surfaces (45a, 45b) and defines the starting end of the path of the said mobile part (24) which is displaced along the length of the said blade (45), where the said predetermined deformation lines are parallel welding lines (46) of the equally sized adjacent surfaces (45a, 45b), which extend from the said folding end up to the said other end where the free ends of the adjacent surfaces (45a, 45b) meet, where the said welding lines (46) stop, just before the said meeting edge of the free ends of the adjacent surfaces (45a, 45b) for the formation of the said opening (6) for the reception and for the enclosure of the said mobile art (24), where when a force is suddenly exerted onto the security fastening system bearing the elenent, end this force has a predetermined value, this force is converted to pulling force of the said linearly displaced part (24) and to z force for the exertion of deforr,aticn pressure of the said metallic blade (45) by the arm (7) of the part (24), due to which detachment and deformation of the adjacent surfaces (45a, 45b) of the blade is effected along the length of the predetermined parallel welding lines (46), where the detachment length corresponds to the length of the welding lines (46) and defines the length of the path of the said mobile part (24) for the transfer of the suddenly exerted force to the said metallic blade.

5) Element for absorbing the energy deriving as a result of 2 force suddenly exerted onto a security fasteng system to which the element is attached, according to the above claim 4, where the nominal energy value that the element can absorb during its action is defined in conjunction with the length and the thickness of the blade, the number of welding seams (46), the length and width of each welding seam (46) and the depth of penetration of the molecules of the surfaces (45a, 45b) of the blade along the length of each of the welding seams (46) and where with the differentiation along the length of the blade (45 of each combination of the parameters number of welding seams (46) and length, width and depth of penetration of the molecules of the surfaces (45a, 45b) of the blade is each welding seam (46), the element for absorbing the energy has a resistance variable across its length and is hence activated in a range of predetermined values of the suddenly exerted force.

6) Element for absorbing the energy deriving as a result of a force suddenly exerted onto a security fastening system to which the element is attached, according to any of the above claims 1-5, where the length of the element remains the same before and after its action and the length of the transferred to the security fastening system permitting the extension which corresponds to the linear length path of the connected to it said independent mobile part (2n) for the transfer of the suddenly exerted force to the element 7) ApplIcation of the element for absorbing the energy according to any of the above claims 1-6 in a security belt (40) of a seat of a vesicle (36), where the security belt (40) is supported at two positions (31, 35) onto the floor on either side of the seat and to an upper support position (29) of the intermediate column of the body and, contains a part of the chest belt (32) extending diagonally from the upper support point (29) up to the joint (34) connected to z shaft bearing the locking case (28) of the belt extending from the supporting point (31) located at the floor, the part of the belt (33) at the waist of the seated person extending from the said joint (34) up to the support position of the floor (35) and the part of the belt (27) extending along the length of the middle column (30) of the body of the car from- the said upper support point (29) up to the rotating part (26) which is connected to a support point (38) at the foot of the column (30), and where the element absorbing the energy is alternatively and selectively connected to: - the said support point (38) by fixing the hole (19) of the element to it, via a blade and a connecting part (38a) and with connection of the hole (25a) of the mobile part (24) to a support base (37) of the rotating part (26) via a connecting part (37a), - the upper support point (29) in the middle column (30) of the body of the vehicle by fixing the hole (19) to the column (30) via 2 connecting part (29e) and with the interference of a spring (56) and connection of the hole (25e) cf the mobile part (24) to a grooved connector (55) for the belt to pass through and -the floor of the vehicle to the region of the support point (31) of the belt with fixed fixing of the hole (19) vie Z blade (57) and connecting part (57a) and connection of the hole (25a) of the mobile part (24) to a blade (31) of the safety belt via 2 connecting part (312), where in the case of headoon collision of the vehicle, the force exerted to the security belt (40) by the body of the passenger who is fastened with the security belt (40) and moves forward due to inertia is transferred to the element for absorbing the energy, which is activated should the exerted force exceeds a certain predetermined limit, so that the process of absorption of the collision energy during the period of duration of the linear displacement of the mobile part (24) along the length of -the said metallic blade of the element for absorbing the energy is activated.

8) Application of the element for absorbing the energy according to any of the above claims 1-6 to systems for side protection of automobile doors (65) for the dampening of knock-on loads of side collisions and specifically to the following alternative cases: -to security bars(62), where the element is connected with the hole (25a) of the mobile part (24) which is connected to a hole (53a) of the edge (63) of the security bar (62) via a connecting part (63b) and the hole (19) naacTouprvn fixed to a reinforced blade (66) of a side internal wall of the door (65), to w e ropes (70), where the element is connected to the end (71) of the wire rope (70) which passes vie the hole (25a) of the mobile part (24) and is then connected with a cllp (71a) with the hole (19) fixed LO a reinforced blade (72) of the internal side wall of the door (6.), -to belts (7c), where the element is connected with the hole (25a) of the mobile part (24) to the end of the belt (76) and the hole (19) is fixed to a reinforced blade of an internal side wall of the door (65), and - to any combination of arrangrnents of security bars (62), wire ropes (70) and belts (76), for the protection of automobile doors from side collisions, where in the case of a side collision of a vehicle knock-on load exerted to the system of side protection of the door of the vehicle is transferred to the elements for absorbing the energy which are attached to the bars, wire ropes or security belts, where the said elements for absorbing the energy are activated should the exerted knock-on load exceeds a certain predetermined limit so that the process of absorption of the collision energy during the period of duration of the linear displacement of the mobile part (24) along the length of the said metallic blade of the element for absorbing the energy is activated.

9) ApplicatIon of the element for absorbing the energy according to any of the above claims 1-6 above a security belt used for protection from fall, where the security belt contains a belt (79) around the body (78) of the person protected from fall and 2 belt (80) for connect' or to a fixed location, such as a fixed beam (81) and where te element for absorbing the energy interferes between the belts (79, 80) connected with the hole (19) to the belt (79) and with the hole (25a) to the belt (80), where i the cese of fall of the fastened with the security belt person, the load exerted to the security belt at the time period of its full extension is transferred to the element for absorbing the energy interfering between the belts (79, 80), which is activated for dampening the energy during the fall of the exerted load, where such dampening occurs during the perIod of duration of the linear displacement of the mobile part (24) along the length of the said metallic blade of the element for absorbing the energy.

10) Application of the element for absorbing the energy according to any of the above claims 1-6 to an ejectable seat of a fighter plane pilot for dampening the energy developed by the ejection force of the seat and the prevention of the exertion to the body (86) of the pilot of a load exceeding a predetermined limit, where the ejected seat bears an arrangement of belts (87, 87a) with the ends of the parallel extending belts (87) reaching from end to end of the base-support (85a) and/or back (85b) of the seat (85), where the belts' arrangement (87a) is used as 2 reinforcement to the base of the seat between the belts (87) and where the said belts (87) are connected via a connection part (89^' to the holes (25a) of the respective elements for energy absorption and where respective holes (19) of the said elements for energy absorption are fixed via connection parts (9Oa) to reinforced points (90) of the seat, where the elements for absorbing the energy attached to the belts (87) of the seat operete so that the transferred, instantaneous energy, transferred to the body of the pilot during the ejection of the seat, is dampened during the period of duration of the linear displacement of the mobile part (24) along the length of the said metallIc blade of the element for absorbing the energy.