Angular Offset Beam Vehicle Frame Impact Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle structures are inadequate in absorbing and redirecting impact energy during off-center impact tests, leading to inefficient energy dissipation and potential damage to critical components like the dash-wall and A-pillar.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle frame design featuring a first and second side member, a cross-member, and a beam that is angularly offset from the cross-member by 35 to 60 degrees, with specific reinforcement structures such as a push arm assembly, secondary reinforcement cross-members, and a gap maintaining structure to absorb and redirect impact forces laterally during an off-center impact test.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional vehicle structures are used in off-center impact tests, then the vehicle structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the impact energy absorption and redirection capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidframe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is divided into multiple functional segments: side members for longitudinal support, cross-members for lateral support, and diagonally-oriented beams for impact redirection. Each segment is positioned and oriented to perform a specific function in absorbing and redirecting impact energy, transforming a monolithic structure into a coordinated system of specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The beam is configured with an asymmetric angular offset of 35 to 60 degrees relative to the cross-member, creating an optimized geometry for redirecting impact forces. This asymmetric arrangement allows the beam to effectively channel impact energy away from critical components like the dash-wall and A-pillar, demonstrating how non-symmetric design can enhance structural performance under specific loading conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If additional structural elements are added to absorb impact energy, then the impact energy absorption improves, but the vehicle frame weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidvehicle frame weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Additional structural elements such as reinforcement plates, brackets, and the diagonally-oriented beam are strategically positioned only in regions subject to off-center impact loads. The cross-member and beam connections are reinforced at specific locations where impact forces are transmitted, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire frame. This localized approach enhances impact energy absorption while minimizing unnecessary weight addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the beam is angularly offset from the cross-member by 35 to 60 degrees, then the impact force redirection efficiency improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force redirectionVSAvoidbeam angle precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The beam angle parameter is optimized to fall within the 35 to 60 degree range relative to the cross-member, representing a balanced compromise between impact force redirection efficiency and manufacturing feasibility. This parameter range provides sufficient geometric advantage for force redirection while remaining achievable with standard manufacturing tolerances, avoiding excessively tight angular specifications that would dramatically increase production complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The proposed frame design effectively absorbs and redirects impact energy, reducing the load on critical components and enhancing the vehicle's ability to move laterally away from the impact barrier, thereby improving safety and energy dissipation during off-center impact events.

Implementation Method 1

a beam (130), the second end (130b) of which is connected to the cross-member (34) at a location spaced apart from both the first side member (30) and the second side member (32)... that the beam (130) is angularly offset from the cross-member (34)... effectively absorbs and redirects impact energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

showing initial deformation and forward momentum being transformed into rotational displacement about the rigid barrier B... undergoing further deformation and rotation as a result of the impact event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10864943B2Vehicle structure

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle structure includes a vehicle frame and a beam. The vehicle frame has a first side member and a second side member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a cross-member extending in a vehicle lateral direction from the first side member to the second side member perpendicular to the first side member and the second side member. A first end of the beam is connected to one of the first side member or the second side member at a location spaced apart from the cross-member. A second end of the beam is connected to the cross-member at a location spaced apart from both the first side member and the second side member such that the beam is angularly offset from the cross-member with an angle of between 35 and 60 degrees defined between the cross-member and the beam.