What is a Crumple Zone, Its Function, and How Does It Work?
The crumple zone is an area on a vehicle designed to crumple in the event of an accident. This area functions to absorb kinetic energy from the impact and minimize its effects.
This technology is specifically designed based on Isaac Newton's laws. Newton stated that an object will continue to move at the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Understanding the Crumple Zone
Car manufacturers used to compete to create cars with the stiffest possible material designs. This was to withstand impacts during accidents and not undergo significant shape changes that would affect the car's resale value. This design is good for the car's body shape, but very dangerous for the occupants of the car.
As technology advanced, this design proved to channel impact energy into the car's cabin, worsening passenger injuries. For example, when a car is driven at 80 km/h, suddenly colliding and stopping abruptly.
The car will become like a solid wall. Meanwhile, the bodies of the car's occupants will still be moving in the same direction and speed as before the impact.
If the front of the car is too rigid, the impact energy will flow into the car's cabin. As a consequence, the occupants will hit the part of the car in front of them, resulting in fatal outcomes.
Based on Newton's theory above, a new design was created for the front and rear of the car, called the crumple zone.
The concept of the crumple zone was discovered by Mercedes-Benz engineer, Bela Barenyi, in 1937 and was first implemented in Mercedes-Benz products in 1959.
To better understand this crumple zone, here are its functions and how it works:
1. Function of the crumple zone
The crumple zone is specifically designed to easily change shape. Thus, the impact collision can be fully absorbed by this crumple zone. Meanwhile, the passenger cabin is reinforced with steel and other materials to ensure the safety of the car's occupants.
2. How it works
During a severe collision, the kinetic force (energy) coming from the opposite direction will be received and absorbed by this crumple zone. In its effort to absorb and dampen the impact energy, this crumple zone will be damaged immediately.
Thus, the impact energy will decrease or even dissipate by the time it reaches the car's cabin, keeping the driver safe during a major collision. Consequently, the occupants of the car are expected to survive.
In luxury vehicles, the position of this crumple zone is located at the mounting or riser of the engine and transmission. Therefore, when a collision occurs, the engine and transmission at the front will fall instead of being pushed backward.
Thus, the driver will be safe from the danger of being trapped by the engine pushed from the front.
One example of a severe accident was experienced by a Daihatsu Terios with a Riau license plate. The front of this new SUV was heavily damaged in the collision, becoming unrecognizable. However, with this crumple zone technology, the cabin structure post-collision remained safe.
The car's engine did not intrude into the cabin, and the doors could still be opened properly. Thus, the driver and passengers inside were protected from fatal injuries.
Visit the website Daihatsu.co.id for more detailed information about vehicle types equipped with crumple zone technology. Protect yourself and your family with the latest safety technology embedded in your chosen car.
