Crash Assembly Wheel Steering Control Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel suspension systems in motor vehicles are ineffective in controlling wheel movement during small overlap crashes, leading to uncontrolled wheel movement and potential engagement with the rocker panel, due to late and limited positioning capabilities, high forces required for deformation, and variability caused by material quality and deflection.
Innovation Solution
A crash assembly comprising a crash strut connected to a tie rod assembly with variable-length coupling modules, allowing for early steering of the wheel relative to the vehicle body, reducing the impact of crashes by controlling wheel movement before contact with the crash barrier, and achieving maximum wheel angles to prevent engagement with the rocker panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wheel suspension measures are used to guide wheel movement beyond the motor vehicle, then wheel control is improved, but wheel positioning occurs too late and to limited extent
Solution Approach 1:
The crash assembly is pre-positioned in the wheel suspension system before a crash occurs. The coupling module is pre-configured to disconnect from the wheel hub carrier upon crash detection, enabling immediate wheel steering action without waiting for crash barrier contact. This preliminary configuration ensures the wheel can be steered to a safe position (e.g., toe-in) before the crash force acts on it.
2Force
If substantial forces are applied to sever or bend suspension components, then wheel guidance is influenced, but these forces are only available after elastic and plastic deformation of rubber bearings and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling module is extracted as a separate, dedicated component from the traditional wheel suspension system. This coupling module can be selectively disconnected from the wheel hub carrier, allowing the crash assembly to apply steering forces directly to the wheel without having to overcome the elastic and plastic deformation of rubber bearings and other suspension components. This extraction enables immediate force transmission upon crash detection.
3Ease of operation
If wheel suspension components are designed to be resilient for comfort, then comfort is improved, but wheel guidance robustness deteriorates due to delayed force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling module serves as an intermediary between the crash assembly and the wheel hub carrier. During normal operation, it transmits forces while allowing resilient behavior for comfort. During a crash, it can be selectively disconnected to provide direct, robust force transmission for wheel steering, bypassing the resilient components that would otherwise delay force transmission. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction between comfort and robustness.
Data Source
AI summary
A crash assembly having a crash strut for a wheel of a motor vehicle, which is connected to a tie rod assembly that has at least one tie rod strut. The tie rod strut is connected to a first end of the crash strut via at least one tie rod-side connection module. A second end of the crash strut is connected to a body of the motor vehicle via a body-side connection module.