Reversed-Torsion-Type Crush Energy Absorption Structure and Its Inexpensive Partial-Heating Torsion Manufacturing Method Based on Origami Engineering

Abstract

Current vehicle energy absorbers face two problems during a collision in that there is only a 70% collapse in length and there is a high initial peak load. These problems arise because the presently used energy-absorbing column has no deployment shrinkage function. It has been shown that a column called the Reversed Spiral Origami Structure (RSO) developed by Nojima solves the above two problems. However, in the case of the existing technology of the RSO, the forming cost of hydroforming is too expensive for application to a real vehicle structure. Therefore, a new structure imitating RSO, named the Reversed Torsion Origami Structure (RTO), has been developed, which has excellent energy absorption in simulation. Here, a manufacturing system is developed for the RTO cheaply. Excellent results are obtained also in a physical experiment. The RTO can replace conventional energy absorbers and is expected to be widely used in not only automobile structures but also building structures.