Control Arm Assembly With Weakened Bracket for Collision Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle components that deform during collisions to absorb kinetic energy and enhance occupant safety face challenges in effectively guiding wheels and associated components against the vehicle frame, particularly in forward collisions.
Innovation Solution
A control arm design with a first branch portion fixed to the vehicle frame, a second branch portion extended and fixed behind the first, and a third branch portion coupled with the wheel, featuring a weakened portion that allows controlled deformation and separation of brackets from the frame during a collision, ensuring the joint remains fixed while absorbing impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control arm is designed with a rigid structure to maintain joint fixation, then the reliability of joint fixation is improved, but the ability to absorb collision energy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control arm is segmented into multiple branch portions (first, second, and third branch portions) with distinct functions. The first branch portion is designed to deform and separate from the frame during collision, while the joint connecting the second branch portion remains fixed. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve energy absorption through controlled deformation and maintain joint fixation reliability, resolving the technical contradiction between these two requirements.
2Loss of energy
If the control arm is designed to deform during collision to absorb energy, then the collision energy absorption is improved, but the stability of the control arm structure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the control arm are assigned different structural qualities. The first branch portion is designed with weakened portions that facilitate controlled deformation and separation, while the second and third branch portions maintain rigid structures to preserve control arm stability. This local differentiation of structural properties allows the control arm to absorb collision energy through localized deformation while maintaining overall structural stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bracket is designed to remain fixed to the frame during collision, then the stability of the bracket connection is improved, but the ability to allow controlled separation for energy absorption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket connection design incorporates dynamic characteristics through weakened portions that allow the bracket to transition from a fixed state to a separated state during collision. The weakened portions are strategically positioned to enable controlled separation of the first bracket from the frame, allowing energy absorption, while the second bracket remains fixed to maintain stability. This dynamic design allows the bracket system to adapt its connection stability based on collision conditions.
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 control arm effectively absorbs collision forces by deforming at the weakened portion, allowing the joint to move along the frame while maintaining fixation, thereby enhancing occupant safety by distributing impact energy and preventing component ejection.
Implementation Method 1
the control arm deforms at the first branch portion and drives the joint along the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a control arm having a first branch portion extended from a second branch portion, the first branch portion and the second branch portion being fixed with a frame of the vehicle, and a third branch portion extended from the second branch portion, and coupled with a wheel. The vehicle also includes a first joint fixing the first branch portion to the frame, and a second joint located behind the first joint along the frame in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and fixing the second branch portion to the frame with a first bracket extending along the frame, outward from the second branch portion in a vehicle lateral direction. The first bracket is fixed to the frame at a first bracket weakened portion, and configured such that the second branch portion separates the first bracket weakened portion from the frame while the first joint remains fixed to the frame.