Impact Energy

Function

This octagonal tube would best suited as a foremost frame rail, to absorb the energy in the event of a frontal impact. Then, however, no stiffening components, such as the engine, may be in the way. Ideally, it would be removable, so that possible accident-repair costs could be kept to a minimum.

How it works

At this point, the superiority of sheet-metal, compared with synthetics, becomes clear. It will probably still take quite some time (if ever), before a synthetic is developed which can evenly absorb and diminish energy over its entire length. Although, at the moment, we don't have the force- and delay action values, from the above pictures, the type of buckling that takes place, is quite obvious. 09/09