Vehicle Front Bulkhead Forward Extension for Small Overlap Crash Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
In small overlap collisions, existing vehicle body structures face challenges in promptly transmitting collision load to the front side frames due to the placement of load transmission members, which are often aligned with the front side frames, hindering effective energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle body front part structure incorporates a front bulkhead with forward extension parts at the lower ends of vertical members, allowing load transmission members to be positioned closer to the front, thereby facilitating quicker transmission of collision loads to the front side frames, and includes features like inclined surfaces and locking parts to enhance load distribution and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the load transmission member is disposed as close to the front of the vehicle as possible to promptly transmit collision load, then the collision load transmission speed is improved, but the crash can disposed on the front surface of the front side frame prevents the load transmission member from being positioned in front of the front side frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the front bulkhead structure in the vehicle width direction by adding forward extension parts that protrude from the front surface of the front side frame. This dimensional extension allows the load transmission member to be disposed on the outer side of the front side frame in the vehicle width direction, achieving prompt collision load transmission without conflicting with the crash can arrangement on the front surface.
2Loss of energy
If the load transmission member is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the front side frame to enable prompt transmission, then the collision energy absorption is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the load transmission member with the front bulkhead structure by fixing it to the forward extension part. This merging of functions allows the front bulkhead to simultaneously serve as a structural support element and a load transmission pathway, enabling collision energy absorption without requiring a completely separate complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The front bulkhead is segmented into lateral members, vertical members, and forward extension parts. This segmentation allows the forward extension part to specifically handle the load transmission function while the rest of the front bulkhead maintains its structural support role, optimizing both energy absorption and structural integrity.
3Productivity
If the forward extension part is added to the front bulkhead to position the load transmission member closer to the front, then the collision load transmission is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forward extension part is designed with optimized geometric parameters including extension length, thickness, and connection dimensions. By carefully selecting these parameters, the structure achieves prompt collision load transmission while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes and reasonable dimensional proportions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body front part structure includes: a pair of left and right front side frames extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a front bulkhead connected to front ends of the front side frames. The front bulkhead includes: a pair of upper and lower lateral members extending in the left-right direction; and a pair of left and right vertical members extending in the up-down direction so as to connect ends on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the lateral members to each other. A forward extension part extending toward the front of the vehicle is provided at a lower end of the vertical member. A first load transmission member located on a more outer side in the vehicle width direction than the front side frame is fixed to the forward extension part.