OFFSET BULKHEAD FOR CREATING A COMPRESSIVE MECHANICAL LOCK

摘要

A structure that creates a compressive mechanical lock during an external force includes a beam, an offset bulkhead, and a compressive member. The beam has a hollow cross section, an axis, and a wall. The bulkhead is disposed within the hollow cross section and attached to the wall. The member has an axis and an end attached to one of the bulkhead and the beam wall. The member axis and the beam axis intersect with each other in a plan view to form an obtuse angle. The bulkhead is offset from the intersection in an offset direction, parallel to the beam axis and toward the opening of the obtuse angle. The external force causes the member end to deform the beam wall so as to create a pocket or compressive mechanical lock in the beam wall that mechanically locks the member end from moving in the offset direction.

主权项

1. A structure that creates a compressive mechanical lock, the structure comprising:
a beam having a hollow beam cross section, a beam axis, and a beam wall; a bulkhead disposed within the hollow beam cross section and attached to the beam wall; and a compressive member having a member axis and a member end attached to one of the bulkhead and the beam wall; wherein the member axis and the beam axis intersect with each other in a plan view at an intersection to form an acute angle and an obtuse angle; wherein the bulkhead is offset from the intersection in an offset direction, parallel to the beam axis and toward the opening of the obtuse angle, to misalign the bulkhead relative to the compressive member; and wherein loading of the compressive member along the member axis causes the member end to deform the beam wall so as to create a pocket in the beam wall that mechanically locks the member end from moving in the offset direction.