C-Shaped Deformation Element for Pedestrian Injury Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fender configurations in motor vehicles pose a high risk of injury during collisions due to their rigidity, particularly at the upper edge, which is exacerbated by the interaction with the relatively rigid side edges and separating gaps from the front hood.
Innovation Solution
A C-shaped deformation element is integrated between the fender's upper edge and the vehicle body, with its upper limb connected to the fender and lower limb to the vehicle body, allowing for improved flexibility and deformation properties, including a deformable flange section and adjustable chamfer for precise alignment, to absorb impact energy and reduce injury risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fender upper edge is bent inward and supported against the vehicle body to increase rigidity, then the structural strength is improved, but the injury risk to pedestrians increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fender support structure is divided into multiple segments: the rigid fender upper edge, the C-shaped deformation element with distinct upper and lower limbs, and the vehicle body support points. This segmentation allows different zones to have different mechanical properties - the fender maintains rigidity while the deformation element provides compliance to reduce injury risk
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation element changes its structural parameters under impact loads. During normal operation, it maintains a stable C-shape providing vertical support. During pedestrian impact, it deforms plastically or elastically, changing its shape and absorbing energy, thereby reducing the harmful forces transmitted to the pedestrian
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a deformation element is added to reduce rigidity and improve safety, then the injury risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation element functions as a flexible structural component with a C-shaped cross-section. This thin-walled or compact structure provides the necessary deformation capability while occupying minimal space and adding relatively little complexity to the overall fender assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire fender structure compliant to reduce injury risk, the invention inverts the approach by maintaining rigidity in the fender upper edge for structural integrity while introducing a localized deformation element that provides compliance. This targeted approach minimizes overall structural complexity
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 configuration significantly reduces the risk of injury by enhancing the deformation properties of the fender and engine hood, aligning with legal requirements and improving the aesthetic appearance while minimizing the severity of impacts from various directions.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation element, which is C-shaped in cross section, for a substantially vertically oriented supporting of an upper edge of the fender
Implementation Method 2
the deformation properties of the deformation element can be significantly improved, since the flexibility is improved
Data Source
AI summary
A fender configuration for a motor vehicle has a fender and a deformation element which is C-shaped in cross section. For the substantially vertically oriented supporting of an upper edge of the fender, an upper limb of the deformation element is connected to the fender and a lower limb is connected to the vehicle body. It is important that the C-shaped deformation element is arranged such that it is open toward the associated fender.