Evaluation of Impact Energy Absorption of Thin-Walled Tubes with Pairing Origami Patterns

Abstract

This research presents a novel thin-walled tube with pairing origami pattern as an energy absorption device of automobiles called side member. The characteristics of origami model were estimated with FEM analysis. The initial shape of the origami models is determined by three parameters. The results of numerical simulation of the dynamic axial crushing of the pairing origami models show that compared with conventional tube, the pairing origami patterns model exhibit a lower initial peak force and more uniform crushing load. The amount of energy absorption per mass was lower than conventional model, but close values were obtained. Considering that the manufacturing cost is as cheap as the conventional model, it can be said that this origami model is very suitable for a side member.