Title: A magnetorheological-elastomer-based energy absorption device for car crash protection

Authors: Lingyu Sun; Wei Li; Shirong Guo; Weiwei Chen

Addresses: Department of Automobile Engineering, School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China ' Department of Automobile Engineering, School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China ' Department of Automobile Engineering, School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China ' Department of Automobile Engineering, School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

Abstract: For ideal protection from various car collision scenarios, it is required that there be an energy absorption device that is able to adjust its stiffness and damping capacities according to the situation. A Magnetorheological Elastomer (MRE) Based Adaptive Energy Absorption Device (MREBEAD) is proposed and developed to take advantage of its controllable characteristics for car bumper systems. The distribution and amplitude of the magnetic flux density are verified by the finite element method. Both the shear and compression stiffness properties of MREs are derived analytically. In addition, a series of these devices are installed behind a car bumper and the dynamic response and energy storage of the bumper system are demonstrated through the MATLAB/Simulink software. The results show that the proposed MREBEAD system for car crash protection at low speed collisions is more effective than the traditional metal crash box in avoiding plastic deformation and decreasing damage to passengers and as a result, in reducing repair and medical costs.

Keywords: magnetorheological elastomers; adaptive energy storage; car crash protection; finite element method; FEM; optimisation; energy absorption; vehicle crashes; vehicle design; vehicle collisions; stiffness capacity; damping capacity; car bumper systems; vehicle bumpers; magnetic flux density; simulation; plastic deformation; vehicle safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2013.056146

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2013 Vol.63 No.2/3, pp.223 - 240

Received: 26 Nov 2011
Accepted: 10 Oct 2012

Published online: 16 Oct 2014 *

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