The amount of energy absorbed by a vehicle in an impact is a crucial factor that determines the extent of damage to the vehicle and its occupants. It also affects the severity of the collision and the possibility of secondary impacts. Therefore, understanding how the amount of energy absorbed by a vehicle in an impact is related to various factors can help improve the design and performance of vehicles and enhance the safety of drivers and passengers.
Vehicle Design
One of the main factors that influences the amount of energy absorbed by a vehicle in an impact is the design of the vehicle. Different vehicles have different structures, materials, shapes, sizes, weights, and features that affect their ability to absorb and dissipate energy during a collision. For example, according to Weegy, some vehicles have crumple zones, which are areas of the vehicle that are designed to deform and absorb energy in a controlled manner, thus reducing the impact force on the occupants. Other vehicles have rigid frames, which are more resistant to deformation but may transmit more energy to the occupants and other parts of the vehicle.
Another aspect of vehicle design that affects the amount of energy absorbed by a vehicle in an impact is the type and location of energy absorbing mechanisms. These are devices or components that are designed to absorb or convert kinetic energy into other forms of energy, such as heat, sound, or deformation. For example, according to Nagel and Thambiratnam, some vehicles have a Vehicle Frontal Protection System (VFPS), which is mounted to the front of the vehicle and acts to minimize damage to the engine bay and other essential components of the vehicle in the event of an animal strike or minor collision. The VFPS provides a clearance between itself and the vehicle, which provides a zone over which impact energy can be absorbed. A device called a Vehicle Impact Protection (VIP) system can be mounted between the VFPS and the chassis rails of the vehicle, thus providing a load path along which impact forces can travel from the VFPS to the vehicle. The VIP system consists of an Energy Absorbing (EA) mechanism as its principal component, which can be selected from various types of EA mechanisms that have different characteristics and capacities for absorbing energy.
Direction of Impact
Another factor that influences the amount of energy absorbed by a vehicle in an impact is the direction of the impact. Different directions of impact have different effects on the amount and distribution of energy absorbed by the vehicle and its occupants. For example, according to Prasad, side impacts are more challenging than front or rear impacts because they involve less crushable space and less structural strength for absorbing energy. The amount of energy absorbed by the vehicle structure in side impacts depends on several factors, such as the location and angle of impact, the shape and stiffness of both vehicles, and the presence and effectiveness of side airbags.
The direction of impact also affects the type and severity of injuries sustained by the occupants. For example, according to Soetrust⁴, frontal impacts tend to cause head, chest, and lower extremity injuries, while side impacts tend to cause chest, abdomen, and pelvic injuries. The direction of impact also affects the possibility of secondary impacts, such as rollovers or collisions with other objects or vehicles.
Conclusion
The amount of energy absorbed by a vehicle in an impact is related to various factors, such as the design of the vehicle and the direction of
the impact. These factors affect not only the extent of damage to the vehicle and its occupants, but also the severity of the collision and
the possibility of secondary impacts. Therefore, understanding how these factors influence
the amount of energy absorbed by a vehicle in an impact can help improve
the design and performance of vehicles and enhance
the safety of drivers and passengers.
