Introducing a new mechanism for energy absorption through simultaneous inversion-folding process

Abstract

The present research introduces a new type of energy absorber that absorbs the impact energy through a new process. In this process, firstly, an end-capped frustum is inverted by a thin-walled tube, with no collapse occurred to the frustum during the inversion process. Once half of the frustum was inverted, the frustum and the tube absorb the energy simultaneously through a folding process. In this respect, the thin-walled tube acts as a thin-walled mandrel that absorbs energy through a folding mechanism upon inverting the frustum. Experimental results showed that the proposed absorber could enhance the specific energy by 26%, as compared to the conventional absorbers.

Topics & Concepts