Closed-Section Automotive Member for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive structural members are inadequate in absorbing a large amount of impact energy with minimal penetration.
Innovation Solution
An elongated and hollow automotive structural member design featuring a first member, a second member connected to form a closed cross-section, and a stiffening member between them, with specific geometric features such as flange portions, ridgeline portions, protruding and recessed portions, and a wave-shaped stiffening member to enhance rigidity and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional automotive structural members are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to absorb impact energy with minimal penetration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The structural member is divided into multiple members (first member, second member, third member) with distinct functions. The first member absorbs impact energy through deformation, the second member maintains structural integrity, and the third member provides additional support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall impact energy absorption while keeping individual components relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow cross-sectional structure contains nested geometric features within its walls. The flange portions, ridgeline portions, protruding portions, and recessed portions are integrated into the wall structure itself, creating a nested configuration that increases structural complexity only where needed for energy absorption while maintaining a relatively simple overall hollow tube form
2Strength
If the structural member deforms under impact load, then energy absorption occurs, but penetration increases and structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the structural member walls are given different geometric qualities to perform different functions. The flange portions and ridgeline portions are designed to deform and absorb energy locally, while the overall closed cross-sectional structure maintains global structural integrity. This local differentiation allows energy absorption without compromising overall stability
Solution Approach 2:
The structural member employs a composite configuration combining multiple geometric features (flange portions, ridgeline portions, protruding portions, recessed portions) within a single hollow structure. This composite geometric design creates a system where different portions contribute differently to impact response, enabling both energy absorption and integrity maintenance
3Length of stationary object
If the structural member maintains high rigidity, then penetration is minimized, but impact energy absorption capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The structural member is designed to dynamically transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a controlled deformation state during impact. The hollow cross-sectional structure with its geometric features maintains high rigidity under normal conditions, but under impact load, specific portions (flange portions, ridgeline portions) are designed to deform in a controlled manner to absorb energy while limiting penetration
Data Source
AI summary
A first member (110) of an automotive structural member (1) has a flange portion (111), a first member ridgeline portion (112) connected to the flange portion (111), a protruding portion (113) having a top surface (113a) which is connected to, the first member ridgeline portion (112) and is aligned with a top surface (111a) of the flange portion (111) at the same level (L), and a recessed portion (114) adjacent to the protruding portion (113). A second member (120) has a second member ridgeline portion (121) having an upper surface (121a) in contact with a lower surface (112b) along the lower surface (112b) of the first member ridgeline portion (112), a vertical wall (122) connected to the second, member ridgeline portion (121), and a bottom wall (123) connected to the vertical wall (122). A stiffening member (200) supports the recessed portion (114).