Articulated Sliding Links for Vehicle Offset Collision Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle designs face challenges in meeting Small Offset Rigid Barrier (SORB) test requirements while reducing vehicle weight and manufacturing costs, as they struggle to maintain crashworthiness and performance.

Innovation Solution

A collision countermeasure apparatus featuring a longitudinally extending frame rail with a transverse opening and a pivotally connected pin, which applies a lateral force to deflect the vehicle during offset collisions, and a link system that slides and pivots to distribute collision forces effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional frame rail structures are used to maintain crashworthiness in SORB collisions, then vehicle safety is improved, but vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecrashworthinessVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic linkages consisting of pins, extensions, and links that can move and pivot during collision to provide active crashworthiness enhancement, replacing static reinforcement structures that would add weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and motion parameters of the linkage components during collision (from stationary to moving, from linear to rotational motion) to generate lateral deflection forces, achieving safety enhancement without permanent structural weight addition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If complex collision countermeasure systems are added to meet SORB test requirements, then crashworthiness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecrashworthinessVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the collision countermeasure system into separate modular components (pins, extensions, links, stoppers) that can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linkage components serve multiple functions: the pin acts as both a structural connector and a force transmission element, the extension provides both structural support and motion guidance, and the stopper provides both positioning and collision force distribution, reducing the need for additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If lateral deflection capability is enhanced through structural modifications, then crashworthiness in offset collisions is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecrashworthinessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple metal components (pins, extensions, links) that can be manufactured using conventional processes and replaced if necessary, avoiding the need for expensive specialized safety structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates the collision countermeasure components with existing vehicle structure elements (frame rails, bumper beams, quarter panels), eliminating the need for separate dedicated safety structures and reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 lateral displacement and velocity during SORB collisions, improving crashworthiness and reducing weight and manufacturing costs by effectively managing collision forces.

Implementation Method 1

the pin into the rail. Collisions outboard of the rail drive the extension into the pin and the pin into the rail... A lateral force exerted by the pin on the frame rail laterally displaces the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLateral force application: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

Collisions inboard of the rail slide the extension outwardly from the bumper and pivot the extension and pin toward each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting motion: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

in a head-on collision between the frame rail and a second frame rail the first link slides telescopically outward from the bumper beam and causes the second link to slide outward from the frame rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTelescopic sliding: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9908560B2Articulated sliding links for deflecting a vehicle in a small offset collision

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A collision countermeasure apparatus for a vehicle includes a longitudinally extending frame rail that defines a transverse opening adjacent a front end. An extension is partially received in a bumper that defines an open end. A pin is received in the transverse opening and has an outer end pivotally connected by a joint to an outboard end of the extension. Collisions outboard of the frame rail drive the extension into the pin and the pin into the rail to laterally displace the vehicle. Collisions inboard of the rail slide the extension outwardly from the bumper and pivot the extension and pin toward each other. Collisions inboard of the rail shift the pin laterally outwardly from the transverse opening.