Angled Vehicle Subframe Interface for Battery Pack Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle subframe designs do not effectively manage the distribution of forces during collisions, particularly in electric vehicles, which can lead to excessive stress on battery packs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle subframe system with a first and second subframe portion coupled by an angled interface that decouples and allows the first portion to move underneath the second portion upon threshold force application, reducing the overall length of the subframe and repositioning components to protect the battery pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the subframe is designed as a rigid structure to maintain strength, then the strength is improved, but the ability to reduce length and redirect force during threshold events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The subframe is divided into multiple portions (first subframe portion, second subframe portion, third subframe portion) connected by interface portions. This segmentation allows different sections to perform different functions: the first portion remains relatively fixed while the second portion can move relative to it during threshold events, enabling both strength maintenance and adaptive response.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface portions are designed with specific angles (e.g., 30-60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis) that allow controlled movement and rotation between subframe portions when threshold forces are applied. This dynamic capability enables the subframe to transition from a rigid load-bearing structure to a flexible force-redistributing system during threshold events.
2Length of moving object
If the subframe maintains its full length to support components, then the component support capability is improved, but the ability to create space and reduce force on the battery pack deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The angled interface portions enable the second subframe portion to rotate and move relative to the first portion during threshold events, dynamically reducing the overall length of the subframe. This length reduction creates space that redirects components away from the battery pack, reducing the harmful force applied to it while maintaining full length during normal operation for component support.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the subframe uses a fixed interface to maintain structural integrity, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ability to decouple and redirect force during threshold events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The subframe is segmented into multiple portions connected by interface portions with specific geometric configurations. These interfaces maintain structural integrity through controlled connections while allowing decoupling movement when threshold forces are applied, resolving the contradiction between fixed integrity and adaptive decoupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface portions are designed with specific angle parameters (30-60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis) that control the mechanical behavior. These parameter choices ensure that the interfaces maintain structural integrity under normal loads but enable controlled decoupling and rotation when threshold forces are applied, changing the structural state from rigid to flexible as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include a subframe section having a first subframe portion and a second subframe portion. The second subframe portion can couple with the first subframe portion at an angled interface having an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The angled interface can decouple the first subframe portion from the second subframe portion and cause the first subframe portion to move in a direction towards the second subframe portion based on the angle of the angled interface in response to a threshold force applied to the first subframe portion.