Structural shape mode influencers
Structural shape mode influencers are disclosed. An example apparatus to introduce a pre-defined buckling mode in a beam for energy absorption in a vehicle includes a body of the beam, the body extending along a lateral direction thereof between a first lateral side of the beam and a second lateral side of the beam, and a stiffener interstitially placed in the body, the stiffener positioned between the first and second lateral sides, the stiffener extending across at least a portion of a longitudinal direction of the body.
1 . An apparatus to introduce a predefined buckling mode in a beam for energy absorption in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a body of the beam, the body extending along a lateral direction thereof between a first lateral side of the beam and a second lateral side of the beam; and
a stiffener interstitially placed in the body, the stiffener having interstitial bodies that are integral with the body and positioned between the first and second lateral sides, the interstitial bodies extending across a longitudinal direction of the body such that the interstitial bodies are arranged in a checkered pattern across the longitudinal direction.
2 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first material and the stiffener includes a second material different from the first material.
3 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the stiffener defines an interface that subdivides the body into first and second lateral portions.
4 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the body and the stiffener are unitary and form a continuous body.
5 . The apparatus as defined in claim 4 , wherein the stiffener has a greater thickness than that of the body.
6 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the interstitial bodies exhibit a rectangular shape.
7 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein interstitial bodies extend along an entirety of a length between the first and second lateral sides.
8 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , including flanges at opposing vertical sides of the beam.
9 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the interstitial bodies have uniform distances therebetween.
10 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the interstitial bodies have an oval shape, a circular shape, a diamond shape, a triangular shape or a hexagonal shape.
11 . The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the beam is for an aircraft frame.
12 . A support platform for use with a vehicle, the support platform comprising:
a first frame portion;
a second frame portion;
a beam extending between the first and second frame portions; and
a stiffener including interstitial bodies that are integral with a wall of the beam, the stiffener interstitial bodies extending across at least a portion of a longitudinal direction of the wall in a checkered pattern to introduce a predefined buckling mode in the beam.
13 . The platform as defined in claim 12 , wherein the wall includes a first material and the stiffener includes a second material different from the first material.
14 . The platform as defined in claim 12 , wherein the stiffener extends across an entirety of the longitudinal direction of the wall.
15 . The platform as defined in claim 12 , wherein the wall and the stiffener are unitary.
16 . The platform as defined in claim 15 , wherein the stiffener has a greater thickness than that of the wall.
17 . A method to introduce a pre-defined buckling mode in a beam for energy absorption, the method comprising:
defining or placing a stiffener into or onto a body of the beam, the stiffener including interstitial bodies extending across at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the body in a checkered pattern; and
positioning the body to laterally extend between at least one of:
(i) a first flange and a second flange, or
(ii) a first frame portion and a second frame portion.
18 . The method as defined in claim 17 , further including securing the beam to a frame of a vehicle.
19 . The method as defined in claim 17 , wherein defining or placing the stiffener onto the body includes thinning a first portion of the body such that a second portion of the body that is not thinned defines the stiffener.
20 . The method as defined in claim 17 , wherein defining or placing the stiffener onto the body includes placing the stiffener into an aperture of the body.