Vehicle Cowl Top Structure with Open Sectional Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cowl top structures in vehicles face challenges in balancing strength and rigidity with pedestrian protection, often compromising on deformation to absorb shocks, which increases manufacturing costs and weight due to the use of numerous connecting members.
Innovation Solution
The cowl top structure features an open sectional design with a cowl top upper, lower, and inner components extending laterally, where the vertical width of side end parts increases outwardly, incorporating openings and a flange along the entire length for enhanced rigidity and shock absorption, while maintaining strength and allowing deformation to protect pedestrians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the cowl top structure is formed as an open sectional structure, then pedestrian protecting performance is enhanced through easy deformation, but the overall strength and rigidity become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the side end parts of the cowl top upper have different structural characteristics from the center part. Specifically, the side end parts have increased vertical width and include openings to enhance deformation capability for pedestrian protection, while the center part maintains sufficient strength and rigidity. This localized differentiation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the overall structure.
2Strength
If connecting members including frame extension and bulk head are used to secure strength and rigidity, then the strength and rigidity are enhanced, but the number of components increases leading to higher manufacturing cost and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate connecting members (frame extension and bulk head) into the cowl top upper itself by forming reinforcing ribs directly on it. These ribs extend from the front end toward the rear end and laterally, integrating the strengthening function into the main structure rather than using separate components, thereby reducing part count and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cowl top upper is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the main structural component, provides pedestrian protection through deformation, and reinforces overall rigidity through integrated ribs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated strengthening members, reducing the total number of components required.
3Strength
If the vertical width of side end parts is increased outwardly and openings are incorporated, then rigidity of side end parts is enhanced and shock absorption is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the vertical width of the side end parts in the vertical dimension rather than extending them laterally or adding complex three-dimensional features. This dimensional approach enhances rigidity and provides space for openings while maintaining relatively simple geometry and avoiding excessive structural complexity.
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 enhances the structural rigidity of side end parts, allows for effective shock absorption by deforming the openings, and reduces the number of components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and weight while ensuring pedestrian protection.
Implementation Method 1
the cowl top upper is so constructed as to be easily deformed with an input from the above, and its pedestrian protecting performance is enhanced
Implementation Method 2
to absorb a shock in the event of collision, for protecting pedestrians
Implementation Method 3
side end parts of the cowl top structure 50 are connected by welding by means of connecting members
Data Source
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AI summary
A cowl top structure (10) of a vehicle is provided. The cowl top structure includes: a cowl top upper (11) which extends in a lateral direction of the vehicle and which is adapted to support a front window; a cowl top lower (13) which extends in the lateral direction and which is arranged at a lower position than the cowl top upper; and a cowl top inner (12) which extends in the lateral direction and which is welded to a rear end of the cowl top upper and a rear end of the cowl top lower, so that the cowl top upper, the cowl top lower and the cowl top inner forms an open sectional structure. A width in a vertical direction of the vehicle of each of side end parts of the cowl top upper in the lateral direction is gradually increased toward the outside in the lateral direction, and each of the side end parts is formed with an opening.