Vehicle Bumper Beam Connecting Member for Off-Center Collision Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle bumper beams with a curved bow shape are prone to displacement in the left-right direction when subjected to off-center collisions, leading to inadequate load transmission to side members.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body structure featuring a bumper beam with connecting members that link multiple points to the frame members, including offsetting crosslinking parts and fixing parts, to suppress extension and ensure uniform load transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the bumper beam is curved like a bow to improve aesthetic appearance and aerodynamics, then the vehicle body structure becomes more streamlined, but the bumper beam becomes easily displaced in the left-right direction when subjected to off-center collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper beam is divided into multiple segments (first bumper beam and second bumper beam) connected by a connecting member. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain the aerodynamic curved shape while the connecting member provides structural support to prevent excessive displacement during off-center collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member is positioned at a specific location (rear side of the bumper beam) to provide localized reinforcement. This allows the bumper beam to maintain its curved aerodynamic shape in most areas while having enhanced stability at the critical connection point where the connecting member is installed.
2Shape
If the bumper beam is curved like a bow to improve aerodynamics, then air flow over the vehicle is improved, but the load transmission to side members becomes inadequate when collision occurs at deviated positions
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the bumper beam into multiple segments connected by a connecting member, the structure creates multiple load transmission paths. When a collision occurs at a deviated position, the load can be distributed through the connecting member to both side members, ensuring adequate load transmission despite the aerodynamic curved shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member extends in the left-right direction (orthogonal to the main longitudinal axis), creating a dimensional bridge between the bumper beam segments and side members. This dimensional addition provides direct load transmission paths to the side members, compensating for the potential weakness introduced by the curved aerodynamic shape.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple connecting members are added to suppress displacement of the bumper beam, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the first and second bumper beams to each other, provides structural reinforcement to prevent displacement, and acts as a load transmission path to the side members. This multi-functionality achieves effective displacement suppression without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member integrates several structural functions into a single component. Instead of using separate connectors for joining bumper beams and separate bracing elements for preventing displacement, the invention merges these functions into one unified connecting member that accomplishes both tasks efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body structure includes a bumper beam extending in a left-right direction, and left and right side members functioning as a frame member supporting both ends of the bumper beam. The bumper beam includes a connecting member that connects the both ends to suppress the extension between the both ends.