Hydro pneumatic mechanical energy absorber enhancing passive safety of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse a mechanical device designed to enhance the safety of a motor vehicle. The topic is addressed by analysing the method of absorbing kinetic energy during a car collision with an obstacle. The article analyses opportunities to convert motor vehicle's kinetic energy into another type of energy in the case of collision. For this purpose, various mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic devices are normally used. Such devices are designed to absorb collision energy and reduce or eliminate its impact on the driver, the passengers or cargo in the motor vehicle. The absorber may be used as an additional element of safety to the passenger and the cargo. The energy absorber described in the present article incorporates hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical components. The description of the absorber presented here is based on mathematical calculations characterizing mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic processes in the equipment. The analysis of the developed mechanism employs a special application to calculate major parameters of the motor vehicle and the installed absorber. The article also gives a sensitivity analysis of the effect of the rod length on the decrement of the vehicle's kinetic energy.