Vehicle Cradle Assembly with Movable Fastener for Load Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cradle assemblies are ineffective in automatically releasing from the underbody when loads exceed a certain threshold, leading to potential damage or inefficiency in energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
A cradle assembly with a movable fastener system that transitions between secured and released positions based on load magnitude, utilizing keyhole-shaped pathways and a release mechanism to separate from the underbody when loads reach a threshold, allowing for controlled detachment and reattachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cradle body is rigidly secured to the underbody, then structural strength is improved, but the ability to automatically release under high load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system that can change state. The keyhole-shaped pathway with first and second positions allows the fastener to move between secured and released states based on load conditions, enabling the cradle body to be rigidly attached during normal operation but automatically release when subjected to high impact loads exceeding the threshold magnitude.
2Loss of energy
If the fastener system allows automatic release, then energy absorption is improved, but structural reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The keyhole-shaped pathway acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fastener and the cradle body. This intermediary structure provides a controlled release path that allows the fastener to transition between secured and released states. The pathway geometry ensures that release only occurs when the load exceeds the threshold magnitude, maintaining structural reliability during normal operation while enabling energy absorption through controlled detachment under high load conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cradle body can separate from the underbody, then damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the fastener, the keyhole-shaped pathway, and the release mechanism into an integrated system. The pathway is formed as part of the cradle body structure, and the fastener interacts with this pathway to provide both secured and released states. This merging of components achieves damage prevention through automatic release while minimizing device complexity by avoiding separate, independent release mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A cradle assembly for a vehicle having an underbody is provided. The cradle assembly includes a cradle body attachable to the underbody of the vehicle by at least one fastener. The cradle body may define at least one pathway, which may have a first pathway portion and a second pathway portion between which the at least one fastener is movable. The at least one fastener may be positioned in the first pathway portion to enable the cradle body to be secured to the underbody, and in the second pathway portion to enable the cradle body to be separated from the underbody. The cradle body is configured to move with respect to the at least one fastener when an applied load on the vehicle is at or above a threshold magnitude.