Energy Absorption Capability of Crash Boxes with Hole Triggers Under Axial Impact

Abstract

Deformable subsystems, be able to efficiently absorb the vehicle kinetic energy, are a very important part in the design of vehicle front structures for crashworthiness. During frontal impacts, the front rails are the main deformable components aimed to absorb the kinetic energy of the vehicle. Therefore their behavior is crucial to obtain good vehicle performance with stable and controlled energy absorption. Crash boxes are the core part of the deformable subsystems. With stable collapse or folding mode, crash boxes can absorb more energy. In order to induce stable folding, some imperfections or triggers are needed. The purpose of this research focused on the performances of thin-walled crash boxes with hole triggers. In this study, a series of axial impacts of crash boxes with hole triggers was simulated by using ABAQUS. The relationships of the position of triggers, the number of triggers and the energy absorption capability of crash boxes were discussed in this research.