Energy management structure

Abstract

An energy management structure is adapted to absorb a force applied thereto. The structure includes a first component possessing a first compressive response profile, a second component possessing a second compressive response profile different from the first compressive response profile, and a third component connecting the first component to the second component. Upon application of a force, the second compressive response profile of the second component is additive to the first compressive response profile of the first component to result in an overall compressive response profile of the energy management structure that meets a design compressive response profile.

1 . An energy management structure adapted to absorb a force applied thereto, the structure comprising:
 a first component possessing a first compressive response profile;   a second component possessing a second compressive response profile different from the first compressive response profile; and   a third component connecting the first component to the second component; wherein   upon application of a force, the second compressive response profile of the second component is additive to the first compressive response profile of the first component to result in an overall compressive response profile of the energy management structure that meets a design compressive response profile.   
     
     
         2 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first compressive response profile and the second compressive response profile is erratic, and the design compressive response profile is smooth. 
     
     
         3 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the design compressive response profile is defined by a smooth curve on a graph showing a stress/strain relationship of the structure in response to an applied force. 
     
     
         4 . The energy management structure according to  claim 3 , wherein smoothness of the curve is based on the first component of the structure buckling and then bending when the force is applied to the structure, and the second component, surrounding the first component, beginning to bend or buckle when the first component transitions from bending to buckling. 
     
     
         5 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first compressive response profile possesses a compression profile characteristic that shows a transition point in compression resistance from a relatively high compression resistance to a relatively low compression resistance of the first component when a force is applied to the energy management structure; and   the second compressive response profile possesses a compression profile characteristic that is additive to the compression profile characteristic of the first component at the transition point when the force is applied to the second component.   
     
     
         6 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first compressive response profile possesses a buckling/bending profile characteristic such that the first component buckles and then bends when the force is applied to the energy management structure; and   the second compressive response profile possesses a bending/buckling profile characteristic such that the second component begins to bend or buckle when the first component transitions form buckling to bending.   
     
     
         7 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the second component surrounds the first component. 
     
     
         8 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component surrounds the second component. 
     
     
         9 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a recess is present between the first component and the second component and is formed by the first, second and third components. 
     
     
         10 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the third component is provided at one of an upper and lower end of the structure. 
     
     
         11 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the third component is provided at a location of the structure between an upper and lower end of the structure. 
     
     
         12 . The energy management structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the first component is a center column extending from one end of the structure to an opposing end of the structure. 
     
     
         13 . The energy management structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the first component includes at least one reinforcing rib on a side of the first component facing the second component. 
     
     
         14 . The energy management structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the first component is corrugated, so that the first component has a wavy cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         15 . The energy management structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the second component includes at least one reinforcing rib. 
     
     
         16 . The energy management structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the third component includes at least one aperture. 
     
     
         17 .- 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method of designing an energy management system for body protective gear, the energy management system comprising at least one energy management structure of  claim 1 , the method comprising selectively distributing the at least one energy management structure to a desired location on the body protective gear. 
     
     
         52 . A method of designing an energy management structure adapted to absorb a force applied thereto, the method comprising:
 determining a first compressive response profile of a first component;   determining a second compressive response profile of a second component, the second compressive response profile being different from the first compressive response profile; and   designing an energy management structure by coupling at least one first component having the first compressive response profile with at least one second component having the second compressive response profile to result in an overall compressive response profile of the energy management structure that meets a design compressive response profile,   wherein the determining steps are carried out in a specifically programmed computer executing code to carry out the steps.   
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 52 , wherein at least one of the first compressive response profile and the second compressive response profile is erratic, and the design compressive response profile is smooth. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 52 , wherein the design compressive response profile is defined by a smooth curve on a graph showing a stress/strain relationship of the structure in response to an applied force.