Center Frame Layout for Front Impact Load Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-body structures are prone to bending and deformation when an impact load is applied from the front side, reducing the effectiveness of impact load absorption.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-body structure that includes a floor panel, a dash panel, suspension support members, a center frame, and connection members that link the center frame to the floor panel, thereby restricting bending deformation and enhancing impact load absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the left front-side part and right front-side part of the tunnel frame are not restricted, then the structure is simpler, but the vehicle front side of the tunnel frame bends and deforms under impact load
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel frame is divided into front-side parts (left and right) and rear-side parts, with the front-side parts being restricted by connection members to the floor panel. This segmentation allows the front portion to be reinforced against impact loads while maintaining structural simplicity in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection members are pre-installed to restrict the left front-side part and right front-side part of the tunnel frame to the floor panel. This preliminary restriction prevents bending and deformation before impact loads are applied, ensuring the frame maintains its structural integrity during collision events.
2Stability of the object's composition
If connection members are added to restrict the front frames to the floor panel, then bending deformation is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection members integrate multiple functions: they restrict the front frames to the floor panel, provide impact load absorption pathways, and maintain structural stability. By merging these functions into single components, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving the desired stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection members act as intermediary elements between the floor panel and the tunnel frame front-side parts. These intermediaries transfer and distribute impact loads effectively while maintaining the structural relationship between components, thereby enhancing stability without requiring complex direct connections.
3Reliability
If the tunnel frame front side is restricted, then impact load absorption is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection members are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing components that attach the tunnel frame front-side parts to the floor panel. This self-service design reduces the need for complex alignment procedures and specialized assembly equipment, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining reliable impact load absorption.
Data Source
AI summary
To increase an effect of absorbing an impact load from a vehicle front side. A vehicle-body structure includes a left-side suspension support member supporting a front suspension, a center frame disposed higher than and away from a floor panel at a vehicle-width-direction central portion of an occupant space and extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, a left-side front frame connected to a front portion of the center frame and extending to the left-side suspension support member, a right-side front frame connected to the front portion of the center frame and extending to a right-side suspension support member, and a connection member that connects the floor panel and at least one of a rear portion of the left-side front frame, a rear portion of the right-side front frame, and the front portion of the center frame.