Cable Wheel Deflector for Offset Impact Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During offset frontal vehicle impacts, existing technologies fail to effectively manage the relative movement of suspension and steering components, leading to inadequate protection and deformation in crash scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vehicle system comprising cables and a pyrotechnic actuator that moves from a slack to a taut position upon impact, deflecting the wheel outboard to mitigate deformation by urging the wheel rearward end cross-vehicle away from the front wheel well, utilizing a rocker and shuttle mechanism with a lock and ratchet tooth for maintaining the taut position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing technologies are used to manage suspension and steering components during offset frontal impacts, then the vehicle structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the components experience inadequate protection and excessive deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is pre-positioned in a slack state before impact, with attachment points already configured. Upon impact detection, the pyrotechnic actuator rapidly deploys the cable to its taut configuration, performing the protective action in advance preparation rather than requiring complex real-time control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cable acts as an intermediary element between the pyrotechnic actuator and the wheel/suspension components. The actuator activates the cable, which then transmits force to deflect the wheel and protect suspension components, simplifying the overall system architecture by using a passive mechanical intermediary
2Strength
If the cable is maintained in a taut position continuously, then the wheel is constantly protected from deformation, but the system consumes excessive energy and creates unnecessary resistance during normal vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable transitions from a static pre-positioned slack state to a dynamic taut state only when needed during impact. The pyrotechnic actuator enables this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the system to adapt its protective function based on operational conditions rather than maintaining a fixed configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is extracted from continuous operation and activated only during impact events. The pyrotechnic actuator serves as a trigger mechanism that extracts the cable from its stored slack position and deploys it selectively when impact is detected, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption during normal operation
3Speed
If a rapid deployment mechanism is implemented to move the cable from slack to taut position upon impact, then the response time to protect components is minimized, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic actuator replaces complex mechanical deployment mechanisms (such as motors, sensors, and control systems) with a simpler chemical-to-mechanical energy conversion system. The pyrotechnic composition rapidly converts chemical energy to mechanical motion, achieving fast cable deployment without requiring elaborate mechanical control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and position parameters of the cable rapidly through pyrotechnic activation. The cable transitions from a slack configuration to a taut configuration with specific geometric parameters (attachment point displacement, tension force) achieved through the explosive energy release of the pyrotechnic actuator
4Strength
If the cable deflects the wheel outboard during impact, then deformation of suspension components is reduced, but the wheel well structure must accommodate larger movement ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The protective action is segmented into discrete components: the cable with specific attachment points, the pyrotechnic actuator, and the wheel deflection path. By segmenting the system into manageable parts with defined functions, the wheel well design can accommodate the specific movement range required without requiring excessive overall volume
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 solution enhances the vehicle's ability to manage offset frontal impacts by deflecting the wheel, reducing deformation and improving crashworthiness through the controlled movement of cables from a slack to a taut position upon impact detection.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic actuator operatively coupled to the cable to move the cable from the slack position to the taut position upon actuation of the pyrotechnic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a front wheel well. The vehicle body includes a rear wall vehicle-rearward of the front wheel well. The vehicle includes one or more cables supported at the rear wall. The cables are movable from a slack position to a taut position. The vehicle includes a pyrotechnic actuator operatively coupled to the cables to move the cables from the slack position to the taut position upon actuation of the pyrotechnic actuator.