Columnar Member Soft-Zone Structure for Collision Energy Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing columnar members in vehicles face challenges in absorbing impact energy without increasing weight, particularly in narrower spaces, and fail to effectively manage deformation under compressive loads, compromising collision safety.
Innovation Solution
A columnar member design featuring a top plate with bend inducing parts and soft parts on vertical walls, allowing controlled bending deformation to absorb energy efficiently without additional weight, using recessed or projecting parts to manage deformation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If reinforcing members are added to columnar members to improve impact absorption, then energy absorption performance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating soft parts with lower yield strength at specific locations on the vertical walls, adjacent to the bend inducing parts. These localized weak points allow controlled deformation without requiring overall reinforcement of the entire member, thus improving energy absorption without increasing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the strength parameter locally by creating soft parts with different yield strength characteristics. The soft parts have yield strength lower than the base material, enabling controlled plastic deformation to absorb impact energy while maintaining overall structural integrity without additional weight.
2Loss of energy
If reinforcing members are added to columnar members to improve impact absorption, then energy absorption performance is improved, but the reinforced parts become too strong and envisioned deformation modes cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized soft parts with reduced strength at specific positions on the vertical walls, rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire member. This localized weakening enables the envisioned deformation modes to occur at predetermined locations while maintaining adequate strength elsewhere in the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire member stronger through reinforcement, the patent inverts the approach by creating localized weaker regions (soft parts) that are intentionally weaker than the base material. This inversion allows controlled deformation to absorb energy while preventing excessive strength in reinforced areas.
3Volume of moving object
If the spaces in which internal combustion engines are provided are utilized for enlarging passenger compartments, then passenger compartment space is increased, but crushing of car bodies at collision time may endanger passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating soft parts at specific locations on the vertical walls to enable controlled deformation. This allows the columnar member to absorb impact energy through predictable bending at designated weak points, preventing uncontrolled crushing while maximizing passenger compartment space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates bend inducing parts and soft parts in advance during manufacturing, creating predetermined deformation paths before collision occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when collision happens, the member deforms in a controlled manner to absorb energy, preventing dangerous crushing while allowing enlarged passenger compartments.
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 design enhances energy absorption during collisions by controlled bending, maintaining structural integrity and safety while avoiding weight increase, through strategic placement of soft parts to manage deformation and maintain reaction force.
Implementation Method 1
columnar members formed by plastically deforming sheets to cross-sectional hat shapes
Implementation Method 2
These members absorb impact by bending deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A columnar member able to absorb more energy at the time of collision without an accompanying increase in weight, that is, a columnar member 100 having at least a top plate 12 and two vertical walls 14, 16 connected to the top plate 12 at ridge parts 15 at both side edges 12a, 12b of the top plate and extending along the ridge parts 15, which columnar member having a bend inducing part 22 at least at part of the top plate 12 and having soft parts 14b, 16b at the two vertical walls 14, 16 at positions adjoining the ridge parts 15 and corresponding to the bend inducing part 22 in a direction of extension of the columnar member 100, the bend inducing part 22 being a part with a strength lower than the parts adjoining the bend inducing part 22 at the top plate 12, the soft parts 14b, 16b being parts with yield strengths lower than the parts adjoining the soft parts 14b, 16b at the vertical walls 14, 16, maximum lengths of the soft parts 14b, 16b in the direction of extension of the columnar member 100 being 0.01 time to 0.15 time the heights of the vertical walls 14, 16.