Process for the production of energy-absorbing structural elements

Abstract

In order to provide a process for the production of structural elements absorbing energy with defined characteristics, these elements being produced as shaped members from a matrix material and a reinforcing material embedded therein, with which an energy absorption of defined characteristics may be realized in a simple manner it is suggested that in different areas of the shaped member layers of the reinforcing material be arranged so as to extend in relation thereto in a defined manner and be arranged with a number differing in a defined manner, and that the reinforcing material for the entire shaped member be wound in a single winding procedure to form the shaped member.

1 . Process for the production of structural elements absorbing energy with defined characteristics, said elements being produced as shaped members from a matrix material and a reinforcing material embedded therein, characterized in that in different areas of the shaped member layers of the reinforcing material are arranged so as to extend in relation thereto in a defined manner and be arranged with a number differing in a defined manner, and that the reinforcing material for the entire shaped member is wound in a single winding procedure to form the shaped member.  
     
     
         2 . Process as defined in  claim 1 , characterized in that the reinforcing material is supplied to the winding procedure in the form of a single piece of flat material and that the piece of flat material is contoured in such a manner that the required defined orientation of the layers and the number of layers differing in a defined manner are present in the shaped member after the winding procedure.  
     
     
         3 . Process as defined in  claim 2 , characterized in that the piece of flat material resulting in a shaped member has a section with a maximum width transverse to the winding direction and at least one section with a lesser width transverse to the winding direction.  
     
     
         4 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the course of the supply of a web of flat material to the winding procedure the piece of flat material is contoured in the section influencing the areas having a number of layers differing in a defined manner.  
     
     
         5 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that prior to the supply to the winding procedure the piece of flat material is contoured in the section influencing the areas having a number of layers differing in a defined manner.  
     
     
         6 . Process as defined in  claim 4  or  5 , characterized in that the piece of flat material is contoured by means of a cutting procedure.  
     
     
         7 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a maximum extension of the contoured piece of flat/material in the direction of a winding axis corresponds to the maximum extension of the shaped member in the direction of the winding axis.  
     
     
         8 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several pieces of flat material are supplied to the winding procedure in parallel.  
     
     
         9 . Process as defined in  claim 8 , characterized in that the several pieces of flat material are supplied to the winding procedure as a connected arrangement of pieces of flat material.  
     
     
         10 . Process as defined in  claim 9 , characterized in that the several pieces of flat material are connected in the region of the sections increasing the number of layers in all the areas of the shape member in an equal manner.  
     
     
         11 . Process as defined in  claim 10 , characterized in that the pieces of flat material are connected in the section with maximum width.  
     
     
         12 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing material is impregnated with the matrix material prior to the winding of the reinforcing material to form the shaped member.  
     
     
         13 . Process as defined in  claim 12 , characterized in that the winding of the reinforcing material is carried out with a liquid or saturatable matrix material.  
     
     
         14 . Process as defined in  claim 13 , characterized in that the matrix material is liquefied during the winding.  
     
     
         15 . Process as defined in  claim 14 , characterized in that the matrix material is kept at melting temperature during the entire winding of the reinforcing material.  
     
     
         16 . Process as defined in  claim 15 , characterized in that the matrix material is heated to melting temperature during the winding of the reinforcing material.  
     
     
         17 . Process as defined in  claim 15  or  16 , characterized in that the matrix material is heated to melting temperature by means of a heated winding tube and kept at this temperature.  
     
     
         18 . Process as defined in  claim 17 , characterized in that the winding tube is heated to the melting temperature of the matrix material prior to the winding.  
     
     
         19 . Process as defined in  claim 18 , characterized in that the winding tubes are heated to melting temperature of the matrix material prior to insertion into a winding device.  
     
     
         20 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the matrix material is heated during the winding of the reinforcing material to such an extent that this liquefied in an adequate manner.  
     
     
         21 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the matrix material is hardened in the shaped member following the winding.  
     
     
         22 . Process as defined in  claim 21 , characterized in that the matrix material is hardened with a shaped member seated on the winding tube.  
     
     
         23 . Process as defined in  claim 21  or  22 , characterized in that the winding tubes wound with the shaped members are combined during the hardening of the matrix material to form groups of winding tubes passing together through the hardening phase.  
     
     
         24 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped members are cooled when seated on the winding tubes.  
     
     
         25 . Process as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped members are withdrawn from the winding tubes.  
     
     
         26 . Process as defined in any one of  claims 9  to  25 , characterized in that the connected shaped members are separated prior to the withdrawal from the winding tubes.  
     
     
         27 . Process as defined in any one of  claims 9  to  25 , characterized in that the connected shaped members are separated following the withdrawal from the winding tubes.