Corrugated Front Corner Linking Plate for Vehicle Body Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle structures that link the front side member and upper member using multiple members complicate the configuration and manufacturing process while aiming to enhance the strength of the forward corner portions for frontal collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a corrugated linking plate made of a single plate material that links the front side member and upper member, with ridges and grooves extending in the right-left direction, providing high rigidity and allowing for the attachment of accessory devices like a coolant pump, thus simplifying the configuration and enhancing strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple members are used to link the front side member and upper member, then the strength of forward corner portions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate linking members are merged into a single corrugated linking plate that integrates the linking function while maintaining structural strength through its corrugated geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The linking plate employs a corrugated shape with ridges and grooves that create geometric curvature, providing enhanced rigidity and strength without requiring multiple separate members
2Strength
If multiple members are used to link the front side member and upper member, then the strength of forward corner portions is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple manufacturing steps and assembly operations required for multiple members are consolidated into a single corrugated plate that can be formed and installed as one component
Solution Approach 2:
The linking structure transitions from multiple discrete members to a single corrugated plate with specific geometric parameters (ridge height, groove depth, spacing) that provide the required mechanical properties
3Device complexity
If a single plate material is used for the linking plate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the rigidity may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated geometry of the single plate creates geometric reinforcement through ridges and grooves, providing high rigidity and resistance to deformation without requiring composite materials or multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
The rigidity of the single plate is enhanced by optimizing geometric parameters of the corrugation pattern, including ridge height, groove depth, and spacing, which collectively provide the necessary structural stability
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
This design effectively increases the strength of the vehicle's forward corner portions with a simpler configuration, reduces the number of parts, and optimizes space utilization by using the linking plate as a bracket for accessory devices.
Implementation Method 1
The linking plate is made of a single plate material, and is corrugated in shape, in which ridges and grooves that extend in the vehicle right-left direction are fashioned alternating along the vehicle up-down direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle (10) includes wheels (14f; 14r) including a front wheel (14f), a front side member (20) extending in a vehicle front-rear direction on an inward side of the front wheel (14f) in a vehicle right-left direction, an upper member (22) including a first section (22a) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction above the front wheel (14f) in a vehicle up-down direction, and a second section (22b) extending downward in the vehicle up-down direction forward of the front wheel (14f) in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a linking plate (24) positioned forward of the front wheel (14f) in the vehicle front-rear direction and that links a front end (20a) of the front side member (20) and the second section (22b) of the upper member (22) to each other. The linking plate (24) is made of a single plate material, and is corrugated in shape, in which ridges (26) and grooves (28) that extend in the vehicle right-left direction are fashioned alternating along the vehicle up-down direction.