Energy absorption structure and vehicle
By installing an energy-absorbing structure between the vehicle body frame and the interior panel and using energy-absorbing materials to absorb collision energy, the contradiction between vehicle interior safety and space utilization is resolved, and a balance is achieved between safety improvement and space preservation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423061656.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies often result in a reduction in passenger space when improving vehicle interior safety, making it difficult to find a balance between ensuring safety and passenger space.
An energy-absorbing structure is installed between the vehicle body frame and the interior panel, including a mounting seat and an energy-absorbing part. Energy-absorbing materials are used to absorb collision energy and protect the occupants' heads.
It effectively absorbs collision energy, reduces occupant head injuries, and improves safety without reducing the usable space in the vehicle, maintaining aesthetic design and production efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure CN223370798U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the field of vehicle body safety, in particular to an energy absorbing structure and a vehicle. Background Art
[0002] In the field of automotive safety, vehicle passive safety is crucial, especially in its ability to reduce occupant injuries and cargo losses after a traffic accident.
[0003] In a vehicle collision, a person's head can collide with the vehicle's interior. Interior materials are generally soft, yet the vehicle's interior is often located in close proximity to the vehicle's frame. A collision between the head and the frame can cause significant damage. Existing technologies typically address safety requirements by increasing the space within the vehicle's sun visor, interior trim, and ceiling armrests. However, increasing the space between the interior and the vehicle's sheet metal to meet performance requirements reduces the space available to passengers. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an energy absorbing structure and a vehicle to improve the collision safety of the occupants in the vehicle.
[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned and other related purposes, the present invention provides an energy absorbing structure, characterized in that it includes:
[0006] A mounting seat, arranged on a vehicle body frame and / or a vehicle interior panel;
[0007] The energy absorbing part is arranged on the mounting seat and is located between the vehicle body frame and the vehicle interior panel, and the energy absorbing part is made of energy absorbing material.
[0008] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the mounting seat is arranged on the inner side of the B-pillar of the vehicle body frame.
[0009] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a spacing area is provided between the end of the energy absorbing portion and the panel surface of the vehicle interior trim panel, and the vehicle interior trim panel is a decorative panel close to the passenger compartment side.
[0010] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, one end of the energy absorbing portion close to the vehicle interior trim panel is covered with a first material, and the friction coefficient of the first material is smaller than the friction coefficient of the material of the energy absorbing portion.
[0011] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the energy absorbing portion faces the head of an occupant on the nearest seat in the vehicle.
[0012] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the material hardness of the energy absorbing portion on a side close to the vehicle interior trim panel is higher than the material hardness of the energy absorbing portion on a side close to the vehicle body frame.
[0013] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a positioning column for inserting into a mounting hole on the vehicle body frame is provided on a side of the mounting seat away from the energy absorbing portion.
[0014] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the mounting seat, the energy absorbing portion and the positioning column are all cylindrical structures, the diameter of the mounting seat is larger than the diameter of the positioning column, and the diameter of the positioning column is larger than the diameter of the energy absorbing portion.
[0015] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the material strength of the mounting seat is greater than the material strength of the energy absorbing portion.
[0016] The utility model also provides a vehicle, comprising the energy absorbing structure as described above.
[0017] The present invention proposes an energy-absorbing structure and a vehicle. In the above scheme, an energy-absorbing part is added between the interior panel and the vehicle body frame. When the occupant's head hits the vehicle interior, the energy-absorbing top column is compressed to absorb the impact energy, avoiding a head-on collision in which the head penetrates the interior and hits the sheet metal inside the vehicle, reducing the damage caused by the head impact, and achieving the purpose of protecting the head injuries of the occupants in the vehicle, thereby improving safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the energy absorbing structure in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the installation position of the energy absorbing structure in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Explanation of the accompanying reference numerals: 1. head; 2. vehicle body frame; 3. vehicle interior panel; 10. mounting seat; 20. energy absorbing part; 30. positioning column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the other advantages and benefits of the present invention from the disclosure herein. The present invention may also be implemented or applied through various other specific embodiments, and the details in this specification may be modified or altered based on different perspectives and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features within these embodiments may be combined with one another, unless they conflict.
[0023] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrations only show components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation. During actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component can be changed at will, and the component layout type may also be more complicated.
[0024] In the field of automotive safety, passive safety focuses on reducing injuries to passengers and cargo losses in traffic accidents.
[0025] FMVSS201U is a key US standard for vehicle interior safety, ensuring effective occupant protection after an accident. This standard evaluates the head impact protection of vehicle interiors using the Free Motion Headform (FMH) test, requiring a head impact injury value (HIC(d)) below 1000 for areas such as the sun visor, interior trim, and ceiling armrests. Meeting this standard not only improves occupant safety but also drives continuous improvement in automakers' design and production processes.
[0026] To meet this standard, vehicle interiors require special design, such as adjustments to the sun visors, roof rails, and interior trim. However, these design adjustments often reduce the effective use of interior space, creating a conflict between design and practicality. The challenge facing automakers is how to maximize interior space and improve production efficiency while ensuring safety. Optimizing design and manufacturing processes to meet safety standards and enhance the user experience is a major task for the industry today.
[0027] like Figure 1 、 2 As shown, the utility model discloses an energy absorbing structure, which includes a mounting seat 10 and an energy absorbing portion 20 .
[0028] The mounting seat 10 is arranged on the vehicle body frame 2 and / or the vehicle interior panel 3. The mounting seat 10 is preferably arranged on the vehicle body frame 2. The mounting seat 10 is arranged on the vehicle body frame 2 to provide a more stable support structure, so that the energy absorbing part 20 can be firmly fixed to the vehicle body, ensuring that its position does not shift during a collision, thereby improving the effectiveness of the energy absorbing structure. The stability and reliability of the device are enhanced, ensuring that the energy absorbing part 20 can work normally in an actual collision, and improving the protection effect of the vehicle occupants. The materials of the mounting seat 10 and the energy absorbing part 20 can be the same or different. If the materials are different, the mounting seat 10 can be made of a high-strength material and the energy absorbing part 20 can be made of an energy-absorbing material. The mounting seat 10 needs to meet high strength and high rigidity requirements because it plays a fixing role in the structure. The mounting seat 10 can be made of materials such as high-strength steel, aluminum alloy, engineering plastics, etc. A high-strength mounting seat 10 can avoid the situation where the mounting seat 10 breaks before the energy absorbing part 20. The working principle of the energy absorbing part 20 is generally to absorb energy through plastic deformation or controlled destruction. If the mounting base 10 is not strong enough, it may break at the beginning of the impact, causing the energy absorbing part to lose support and deviate from the preset force direction. This deviation will significantly reduce the energy absorption efficiency and even cause the entire system to fail.
[0029] The energy absorbing part 20 is arranged on the mounting seat 10 and is located between the vehicle body frame 2 and the vehicle interior panel 3. The energy absorbing part 20 is made of energy absorbing material. During performance development, the amount of energy absorption can be adjusted by adjusting the rigidity and toughness of the material of the energy absorbing part 20. This arrangement effectively places the energy absorbing part 20 in the area where the occupant's head 1 is most likely to hit, optimizes the protective effect of the energy absorbing part 20, and avoids affecting the aesthetics of the vehicle interior. The energy absorbing material can specifically be EPP (expanded polypropylene), EPS (expanded polystyrene), foam rubber, polyurethane foam, etc. EPP material is preferred.
[0030] In the absence of an external impact, the energy-absorbing portion 20 supports the shape of the B-pillar and the guard plate. When a head model impacts the B-pillar trim, the trim deforms under pressure, squeezing the EPP energy-absorbing portion 20. The energy-absorbing portion 20 absorbs the pressure and deformation, preventing the impacted head model from directly impacting the rigid B-pillar, thus protecting the occupant's head. During performance development, the rigidity and toughness of the EPP material can be adjusted to further enhance energy absorption.
[0031] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the hardness of the material of the energy-absorbing portion close to the vehicle interior trim panel is higher than the hardness of the material of the energy-absorbing portion close to the vehicle body frame. That is, the hardness of the material close to the occupant's head is lower, and the hardness of the energy-absorbing portion material can be gradually reduced in a step-by-step manner. This staged energy absorption design avoids the instantaneous concentration of impact force, effectively disperses the collision energy, and reduces the possibility of local excessive stress on the structure. The material gradient design increases the time window for energy absorption, making the acceleration curve during a collision smoother, thereby reducing the impact load on the occupant's head and helping to reduce injuries. The use of materials with lower hardness in the area close to the occupant's head can provide a softer cushion during a collision, significantly reducing the direct impact force on the occupant's head and reducing the risk of craniocerebral injury. Materials with lower hardness can adapt to the shape of the head and disperse contact pressure, avoiding secondary injuries caused by rigid contact.
[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the mounting base 10 is positioned near the upper portion of the inner side of the B-pillar of the vehicle body frame 2. The B-pillar is located between the front and rear doors, perpendicular to the length of the vehicle body. This location is where the driver and front passenger's heads 1 are most likely to make contact in a collision. This arrangement effectively improves safety by providing additional cushioning and protection, reducing the risk of head injury 1.
[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, a spacing area is provided between the end of the energy-absorbing portion 20 and the surface of the vehicle interior trim panel 3, which is the trim panel near the passenger compartment. By providing a spacing between the energy-absorbing portion 20 and the interior trim panel, uneven bumps on the interior trim panel are avoided. This not only maintains the visual cleanliness of the vehicle interior but also enhances the overall aesthetics of the interior.
[0034] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the energy absorbing part 20 is covered with a first material at one end close to the vehicle interior panel 3, and the friction coefficient of the first material is smaller than the friction coefficient of the material of the energy absorbing part. The first material can specifically be graphite, flocking tape, etc. Flocking tape is preferred in this application. Flocking tape can effectively reduce the friction between the energy absorbing part 20 and the interior panel and prevent abnormal noise caused by friction. This helps to improve the quietness of the vehicle interior and enhance the comfort of the passengers. The soft material of the flocking tape can prevent the energy absorbing part 20 from scratching or wearing the interior panel, thereby protecting the surface of the interior panel.
[0035] like Figure 2As shown, the energy-absorbing portion 20 is oriented toward the head 1 of the occupant in the nearest seat in the vehicle. This orientation of the energy-absorbing portion 20 is opposite to the direction in which the occupant's head 1 would strike the vehicle interior panel 3. This orientation of the energy-absorbing portion 20 and the direction of impact of the head 1 maximizes its energy-absorbing effect, effectively reducing damage to the occupant's head 1. This design enables the energy-absorbing portion 20 to provide maximum cushioning during a collision, gradually absorbing collision energy and thereby reducing the impact force on the occupant.
[0036] like Figure 1 、 2 As shown, a positioning column 30 for inserting into the mounting hole on the vehicle body frame 2 is provided on the side of the mounting base 10 away from the energy absorbing part 20. The positioning column 30 helps ensure the accurate position of the energy absorbing part 20 and the mounting base 10 on the vehicle body frame 2. This is crucial for the structural integrity of the vehicle body and the correct installation of the components. The use of the positioning column 30 can simplify the installation process of the component. Workers or robots can ensure the correct position of the component by aligning the positioning column 30 during installation, thereby improving installation efficiency and accuracy. After the positioning column 30 is inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle body frame 2, it can provide additional stability and support to ensure that the energy absorbing part 20 and the mounting base 10 are firmly fixed in the vehicle body structure to avoid loosening or displacement during driving.
[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the mounting base 10, the energy-absorbing portion 20, and the positioning post 30 are all cylindrical structures. The cylindrical energy-absorbing portion 20 evenly disperses and absorbs energy during a collision, thereby enhancing its protective effectiveness. The cylindrical shape distributes force more evenly, reducing localized stress concentration and enhancing the overall structural strength and durability. The cylindrical structure is also easy to machine and form, reducing manufacturing complexity.
[0038] like Figure 1As shown, the diameter of the mounting base 10 is larger than the diameter of the positioning post 30. The diameter of the positioning post 30 is also larger than the diameter of the energy absorbing portion 20. The mounting base 10 has a larger diameter than the positioning post 30, while the positioning post 30 has a larger diameter than the energy absorbing portion 20. This design creates a stepped surface between the mounting base 10 and the positioning post 30. The stepped surface helps to better align the mounting base 10 with the inner surface of the vehicle body frame 2, thereby ensuring component stability and reducing installation errors. The presence of the stepped surface ensures closer contact between the mounting base 10 and the vehicle body frame 2, effectively enhancing the assembly's securement. The larger diameter of the positioning post 30 ensures sufficient structural strength. This design prevents the positioning post 30 from being damaged before the energy absorbing portion 20 due to insufficient strength during a collision, thereby compromising the proper function of the energy absorbing portion 20 and the safety of the vehicle. The larger positioning post 30 provides sufficient support, preventing the energy absorbing portion 20 from shifting during a collision due to insufficient positioning post 30 strength, thereby maintaining its effective energy absorption effect.
[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the side of the mounting base 10 proximal to the positioning post 30 is bonded to the inner side of the vehicle body frame 2 via a colloid. This colloid bonding effectively secures the mounting base 10 to the sheet metal holes of the vehicle body frame 2, preventing loosening due to vibration or collision. The colloid's fluidity allows it to fill small gaps between components and the vehicle body frame 2, enhancing the tightness of the overall assembly. Using colloid bonding simplifies the installation process, reduces reliance on traditional mechanical fixing methods, and makes installation easier and more efficient.
[0040] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the present invention further provides a vehicle, comprising the energy absorbing structure as described above.
[0041] In summary, the present invention proposes an energy-absorbing structure and a vehicle. In the above scheme, an energy-absorbing portion 20 is added between the interior panel and the vehicle body frame 2. When the occupant's head 1 hits the vehicle interior, the energy-absorbing top column is compressed to absorb the impact energy, thereby avoiding a head-on collision in which the head penetrates the interior and hits the sheet metal inside the vehicle, reducing head impact damage, and achieving the purpose of protecting the head 1 of the occupant in the vehicle, thereby improving safety. By adding an energy-absorbing portion 20, especially an energy-absorbing top column, between the interior panel and the vehicle body frame 2, the impact energy can be effectively absorbed and the head impact damage can be reduced. At the same time, the advantage of this method is that there is no need to modify the original interior design, which reduces development costs and time, and also makes it highly applicable and flexible. Such improvements not only improve safety, but also help car companies maintain the practicality of the design while meeting safety standards.
[0042] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical principles disclosed in the present invention are intended to be covered by the claims of the present invention.
[0043] In the description herein, many specific details, such as examples of components and / or methods, are provided to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other devices, systems, components, methods, components, materials, parts, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.
[0044] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention, and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, various appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in a specific embodiment" in different places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the invention may be combined with one or more other embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are considered part of the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0045] It should also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the figures may also be implemented in a more separate or more integrated manner, or even removed because they are inoperable in certain circumstances or provided because they may be useful depending on the application.
[0046] In addition, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any marking arrows in the drawings should be regarded as illustrative only and not limiting. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and / or." Where a term is unclear in providing separation or combination capabilities, the combination of components or steps will also be considered as indicated.
[0047] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless otherwise indicated. Likewise, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless otherwise indicated.
[0048] The above description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention (including that described in the Abstract) is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specific embodiments of the present invention and examples of the present invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the art will recognize and understand. As noted, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the above description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, and these modifications will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0049] The systems and methods have been generally described herein in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention. In addition, various specific details have been given to provide an overall understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments of the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or can be practiced using other devices, systems, accessories, methods, components, materials, parts, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, and / or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid confusing various aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.
[0050] Thus, although the present invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, freedom of modification, various changes and substitutions are within the foregoing disclosure, and it should be understood that in some cases, some features of the present invention will be employed without the corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the proposed invention. Thus, many modifications may be made to adapt particular circumstances or materials to the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology used in the claims below and / or to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but the present invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the present invention will be determined solely by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An energy absorbing structure, characterized in that: include: A mounting seat, arranged on a vehicle body frame and / or a vehicle interior panel; The energy absorbing part is arranged on the mounting seat and is located between the vehicle body frame and the vehicle interior panel, and the energy absorbing part is made of energy absorbing material.
2. The energy absorbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting seat is arranged on the inner side of the B-pillar of the vehicle body frame.
3. The energy absorbing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: There is a spacing area between the end of the energy absorbing portion and the panel surface of the vehicle interior trim panel, and the vehicle interior trim panel is a decorative panel close to the side of the passenger compartment.
4. The energy absorbing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the energy absorbing portion close to the vehicle interior trim panel is covered with a first material, and the friction coefficient of the first material is smaller than the friction coefficient of the material of the energy absorbing portion.
5. The energy absorbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy absorbing portion is directed toward the head of an occupant of a nearest seat in the vehicle.
6. The energy absorbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material hardness of the energy absorbing portion on a side close to the vehicle interior panel is higher than the material hardness of the energy absorbing portion on a side close to the vehicle body frame.
7. The energy absorbing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A positioning column for inserting into a mounting hole on the vehicle body frame is provided on a side of the mounting seat away from the energy absorbing portion.
8. The energy absorbing structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The mounting seat, the energy absorbing portion and the positioning column are all cylindrical structures. The diameter of the mounting seat is larger than the diameter of the positioning column, and the diameter of the positioning column is larger than the diameter of the energy absorbing portion.
9. The energy absorbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material strength of the mounting seat is greater than the material strength of the energy absorbing part.
10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The invention comprises the energy absorbing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.