Crank Pulley Structure With Nested Crush Space for Front Collisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crank pulley structures for longitudinal engines may not ensure sufficient crush space during front-end collisions, as the front pulley pushed rearward can still contact the rear pulley, potentially leading to inadequate absorption of collision loads.
Innovation Solution
An engine crank pulley structure with a front pulley and a rear pulley connected by a deformable portion that crushes and deforms in the front-rear direction during collisions, allowing the front pulley to move rearward and accommodate within the rear pulley, ensuring a sufficient crush space, and optionally incorporating an inertia ring and perforated connecting components for enhanced deformation and vibration reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fragile portion is provided in the crank pulley to break during collision, then the front pulley portion can break and drop to increase crush space, but the front pulley pushed toward the vehicle rear side may still contact the rear pulley, failing to ensure sufficient crush space
Solution Approach 1:
The front pulley is designed with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the rear pulley, allowing the front pulley to be nested inside the rear pulley during collision. This nesting configuration enables the front pulley to move rearward and be accommodated within the rear pulley's inner space, ensuring sufficient crush space without the front pulley contacting the rear pulley.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portion is designed to dynamically deform during collision, changing from a rigid connection to a deformed state that allows the front pulley to move rearward. The connecting portion includes deformation portions that enable controlled deformation, facilitating the front pulley's rearward movement and nesting within the rear pulley.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the connecting portion is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the pulley structure remains stable, but the front pulley cannot move rearward sufficiently to ensure adequate crush space during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is segmented into multiple sections including first and second connecting portions with deformation portions. This segmentation allows different parts of the connecting portion to deform independently during collision, enabling controlled structural deformation that maintains overall integrity while allowing the front pulley to move rearward for sufficient crush space.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portion is designed with specific geometric parameters including deformation portions and thickness variations. These parameter changes enable the connecting portion to deform in a controlled manner during collision, transitioning from a rigid state to a deformed state that allows front pulley movement while maintaining 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
The design effectively ensures a sufficient crush space during front-end collisions, reducing the risk of engine intrusion into the cabin and allowing for better energy absorption, thus minimizing the engine's rearward movement and maintaining a compact engine room.
Implementation Method 1
a connecting portion that connects the front pulley and the rear pulley, the connecting portion crushing and deforming in a vehicle front-rear direction as a collision load toward the vehicle rear side is applied to the connecting portion
Data Source
AI summary
An engine crank pulley structure disposed at a vehicle front side of a longitudinal engine includes: a front pulley that transmits crank rotational force to the water pump via a belt; a rear pulley that is disposed at a vehicle rear side of the front pulley and transmits a crank rotational force to a compressor via a belt; and a connecting portion that connects the front pulley and the rear pulley, the connecting portion crushing and deforming in a vehicle front-rear direction as a collision load toward the vehicle rear side is applied to it. An outer diameter of the front pulley is smaller than an inner diameter of the rear pulley.