Bonnet Side Frame Bead Reinforcement for Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front vehicle-body structures face challenges in ensuring both ease of bonnet operation and maintaining a good vehicle appearance without increasing weight or cost, as the urging force from the damper member can cause deformation at the parting portion between the bonnet and front fender, leading to potential gaps and water ingress.
Innovation Solution
The front vehicle-body structure incorporates a side frame portion with a U-shaped or concave cross-sectional shape and convex bead portions extending from the hinge to the damper mounting portions, providing reinforcement and maintaining dimensional accuracy without additional reinforcement members, while allowing for effective mounting of the damper member and maintaining rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a damper member is provided to urge the bonnet from closed position toward open position to improve ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the side frame portion may deform toward the outer front side causing gaps at the parting portion between bonnet and front fender
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame portion is given different local properties: a U-shaped or concave cross-sectional shape for overall rigidity, and convex bead portions at specific locations for localized reinforcement. This allows the frame to resist deformation from damper urging force while maintaining the required dimensional accuracy at the parting portion without adding overall weight or complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The side frame portion transitions from a simple linear structure to a three-dimensional form with U-shaped/concave cross-section and convex bead portions. This dimensional enhancement provides structural reinforcement in multiple directions, enabling the frame to withstand the urging force from the damper member while maintaining precise positioning at the parting portion
2Manufacturing precision
If additional reinforcement members are provided to prevent deformation of the side frame portion, then the dimensional accuracy is improved, but the vehicle body weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding separate reinforcement members, the reinforcement function is integrated into the side frame portion itself through localized geometric modifications (U-shaped/concave cross-section and convex bead portions). This provides the necessary structural support without increasing vehicle body weight or adding additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement function that would traditionally require separate members is merged into the side frame portion structure. The convex bead portions and U-shaped cross-section serve dual purposes: maintaining structural integrity and providing reinforcement against deformation, eliminating the need for additional reinforcement members
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge mounting portion and damper mounting portion are positioned at different positions in the vehicle width direction, then mounting flexibility is improved, but the gap at the parting portion increases due to side frame portion deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame portion incorporates localized reinforcement features (convex bead portions) specifically positioned to counteract deformation between the hinge and damper mounting portions. This allows the mounting portions to be positioned flexibly while maintaining dimensional accuracy at the parting portion through targeted structural reinforcement
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
This configuration ensures both ease of bonnet operation and maintains the vehicle's appearance by preventing deformation and ensuring the parting portion's accuracy, enhancing pedestrian protection and reducing the need for additional reinforcement, thus addressing the weight and cost concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a damper member that urges the bonnet from a closed position toward an open position
Data Source
AI summary
A front vehicle-body structure of a vehicle ensures good vehicle appearance and ease in operating a bonnet without increasing the vehicle body weight. The front vehicle-body structure includes a bonnet including outer and inner panels, a hinge supporting the bonnet such that the bonnet can open and close, and a damper member urging the bonnet. The inner panel includes front and rear frame portions, and a pair of side frame portions respectively connecting left and right ends of the front and rear frame portions and each including a hinge mounting portion and a damper mounting portion for mounting the damper member frontward of the hinge mounting portion. The side frame portion includes a convex first bead portion formed partially in a curved shape between the hinge mounting portion and the damper mounting portion and extending back and forth from the hinge mounting portion to the damper mounting portion.