Energy absorption apparatus

• Main Author: MULLEN, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.01.2012
• Subjects: BLASTING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; SPRINGS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; WEAPONS

The invention relates to an energy absorption apparatus for protecting occupants of different body weights from the effects of excessive G-force by absorbing energy imparted on a vehicle during an explosion occurring below the vehicle. The apparatus has a first mounting member attached to the vehicle, a second mounting member attached to the occupant's seat, and an absorption mechanism attached between the first and second mounting members. The absorption mechanism utilises an attenuation strip provided on one of the mounting members, and anvils provided on the other of the mounting members such that when the vehicle is subjected to excessive G-force, the attenuation strip is bent and pulled through the anvils thereby producing a frictional attenuation force (15) which controls movement of the seat relative to the vehicle. An absorption adjustment mechanism is provided, to allow the magnitude of attenuation to be adjusted depending upon the weight of the occupant.