Car Body Frame Member Continuous Reinforcing Bead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional car body frame members face challenges in securing sufficient cross-sectional proof stress and flexural rigidity in bent portions without increasing the vehicle's weight, as the bead on the straight portion discontinues at the connection to the extension member, leading to reduced rigidity and potential weight gain from thicker materials or additional reinforcing members.

Innovation Solution

A car body frame member design featuring a straight portion with a closed cross-section and a continuously formed reinforcing bead on both the straight and bent portions, which are inclined, enhancing the cross-sectional proof stress and flexural rigidity by distributing the collision load effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the thickness of the extension member is increased or a reinforcing member is newly provided, then the cross-sectional proof stress of the bent portion is improved, but the weight of the car body is adversely increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-sectional proof stress of bent portionVSAvoidweight of car body
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by forming reinforcing beads specifically at the bent portion where stress concentration occurs during collisions. Instead of uniformly increasing thickness throughout the extension member, the bead structure provides localized reinforcement exactly where needed, enhancing cross-sectional proof stress while minimizing additional weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing bead introduces a curved, three-dimensional structure on the surface of the extension member. This curvature creates a geometric reinforcement that increases moment of inertia and cross-sectional proof stress without requiring additional material thickness, effectively using shape modification to improve strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If a bead is continuously formed from the straight portion to the bent portion, then the flexural rigidity of the bent portion is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexural rigidity of bent portionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by forming the reinforcing bead continuously from the straight portion through the bent portion to the extension member. This continuous bead structure ensures uninterrupted stress distribution and flexural rigidity enhancement along the entire length, preventing stress concentration at bead discontinuities while maintaining collision resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the bead formation parameters specifically for the bent portion region. The bead continues from the straight portion but with adjusted geometry and positioning to optimize reinforcement at the critical bent area, allowing flexible control of reinforcement characteristics through parameter adjustment rather than structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7641270B2Car body frame member
Publication Date: 2010.01.05 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • US7641270B2 patent drawing
  • US7641270B2 patent drawing
  • US7641270B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In a car body frame member that couples a front side member and an extension member to each other, a portion thereof extending from a rear portion of the front side member to the extension member is formed as a bent portion that is smoothly curved and inclined downward. A side surface that is continuously extending from the bent portion to the front side member as a straight portion of the car body frame member is continuously formed with a reinforcing bead.