Active Energy Absorber with Rotating Elements for Vehicle Cohesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorbing devices for motor vehicles are not fully compliant with safety standards due to fragile connections between the transverse beam and deformable elements, lack compactness, and have a high mass, which can lead to inadequate cohesion during impacts and increased risk of the beam being torn off.
Innovation Solution
An active energy absorber device with deformable elements having different stiffness directions, housed between the framework and the beam, and an actuation mechanism to orient these elements based on impact detection, ensuring optimal alignment with the vehicle's longitudinal axis for varying shock types, including pedestrian impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transverse beam with deformable energy-absorbing elements is used to ensure vehicle cohesion during impacts, then the safety and cohesion of the chassis is improved, but the connection means become fragile and the beam may be torn off during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the energy-absorbing elements rotatable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their orientation during impact. The elements can rotate about their longitudinal axes to align optimally with impact forces, transforming from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adaptive connection that maintains strength while absorbing energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the energy-absorbing elements during impact. By allowing rotation about the longitudinal axis, the elements can change their angular parameter to optimize the distribution of impact forces, thereby maintaining connection strength while improving energy absorption and preventing beam detachment.
2Reliability
If an active energy absorber device with pivoting beam is used to adjust stiffness during impact, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the device mass increases and it requires more space at the front of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy absorption function by using multiple independent deformable elements (at least two elements) that can rotate independently about their longitudinal axes. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to energy absorption through its own rotation and deformation, achieving active energy absorption without requiring a massive pivoting beam structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the deformable elements to rotate about their longitudinal axes during impact. This rotational movement allows the elements to actively adjust their orientation to optimize energy absorption, providing active energy absorption capability while keeping the overall device mass lower than traditional pivoting beam systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If deformable energy-absorbing elements with different stiffness directions are used, then the adaptability to different impact types is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each deformable element different stiffness characteristics in different directions. The elements are designed with anisotropic properties where the stiffness varies depending on the direction of applied force, allowing the same structural element to adapt to different impact types (frontal, angled, pedestrian) without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics to achieve adaptability by allowing the deformable elements to rotate about their longitudinal axes. This rotational degree of freedom enables the elements to dynamically reorient themselves during impact, automatically adapting to different impact angles and types without requiring complex control systems or multiple specialized components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances vehicle cohesion during impacts by adjusting the energy absorber's rigidity in real-time, improving safety and reducing the risk of the beam being torn off, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
deformable energy-absorbing elements housed between the framework and the front face of the beam
Implementation Method 2
each deformable energy-absorbing element having a first rigidity in a first direction and a second stiffness, different from the first stiffness, in a second direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The device (12) has a frame (16) fixed on a front face (25) of transverse beam (14) to absorb low-energy impact. Deformable right and left energy absorption elements (18, 20) are housed between the frame and the face and are situated at right of left and right rails (6, 4) of a chassis (2). Each element has rigidity along a direction (D1) and another rigidity along another direction (D2). Actuating unit formed of motor (40), racks (42, 44), toothed wheels (46, 48), cables and pyrotechnic actuator, adjusts the elements for aligning the former or latter direction with a longitudinal axis (X).