Vehicle Chassis Front Section Stiffener Buckling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle chassis front section structures face challenges in achieving stable buckling deformation during collisions due to inadequate reinforcement distribution, leading to reduced impact energy absorption and increased vehicle weight.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle chassis front section structure featuring a lateral-section frame with a reinforcement member that includes a front rigid section, rear rigid section, and connecting section, along with a recess on the upper curved section and a dent on the lower curved section, which allows for stable bending and enhanced impact energy absorption without unnecessary weight increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the stiffener is extended forward and rearward beyond the necessary reinforcement range to reduce section strength at the bend starting point, then stable buckling deformation is achieved, but the size and weight of the vehicle increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is designed with varying cross-sectional areas along its length, with larger sections at the front and rear ends for maximum strength where needed, and a reduced intermediate section that allows buckling initiation. This local variation in reinforcement quality achieves stable buckling while minimizing overall weight compared to a uniformly extended stiffener.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member is segmented into functionally distinct zones: front rigid sections for structural support, intermediate sections with reduced strength for buckling initiation, and rear rigid sections for structural support. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without unnecessary weight from uniform reinforcement.
2Ease of operation
If a larger bead is formed to induce buckling deformation, then buckling is easier to achieve, but the amount of impact energy absorption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is pre-formed with specific geometric features (varying cross-sectional areas, intermediate sections) that create predetermined stress concentration zones. These preliminary structural arrangements ensure that buckling initiates at the desired location under collision load without requiring large beads, thereby maintaining energy absorption capacity.
3Loss of energy
If a smaller bead is formed to maintain structural integrity, then impact energy absorption is improved, but buckling deformation becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using large beads to initiate buckling, the invention creates local quality variations through the reinforcement member's own geometry - specifically, intermediate sections with reduced cross-sectional area that serve as built-in buckling initiation zones. This eliminates the need for separate beads while maintaining energy absorption.
4Strength
If the reinforcement panel is disposed on the collision load input side or opposite surface to create bending deformation, then structural reinforcement is achieved, but the amount of impact energy absorption from bending deformation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is designed to transition from a rigid load-bearing component to a controlled deformation element during collision. The varying cross-sectional geometry allows the member to remain rigid under normal conditions for structural reinforcement, while dynamically enabling progressive buckling and deformation under collision loads to maximize energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member is pre-configured with intermediate sections of reduced strength that serve as predetermined buckling initiation zones. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that under collision load, the member will deform in a controlled manner through these pre-designed weak points, maximizing energy absorption while maintaining overall structural integrity.
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 structure enables stable buckling deformation and increased impact energy absorption while reducing the size and weight of the reinforcement member, ensuring effective collision energy management.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting section is easily deformed by receiving a shear load
Implementation Method 2
a wheel housing lower member is set to have a section having a relatively low strength in advance so as to absorb collision energy in case of a front collision of a vehicle by bringing this section to buckling
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral-section frame includes a wheel housing upper member, the rear end of which is connected to a front pillar, and a wheel housing lower member extending from the wheel housing upper member via an upper curved section and a lower curved section in a manner such that the front end thereof extends forward and downward to a substantially identical location as does the front end of the front side frame. A stiffener extending forward and rearward to sandwich the upper curved section is attached to the interior of the wheel housing lower member, and the stiffener includes a front rigid section and a rear rigid section attached to a lower surface section and an inside surface section to sandwich an inside ridge therebetween; and a connecting section connecting the front rigid section and the rear rigid section and being attached to at least the inside surface section.