Vehicle Crash Management Bent Member Sub-Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular designs face challenges in preventing deformation of the frame proximate the passenger area during impact events due to space constraints and the need for off-road durability, which can result in inadequate energy management and increased risk to occupants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle crash management system featuring a main frame with a lower cross member and a front sub-frame with bent members that deform in a controlled manner upon exceeding a specific impact threshold, dissipating energy and maintaining passenger compartment dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the vehicular frame is designed with stiff portions spaced from the passenger area to ensure off-road durability and space constraints, then the frame can resist deformation during routine off-road usage, but the stiff portions transmit most of the impact energy to the passenger area, causing deformation during impact events
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into distinct functional segments: stiff portions (front suspension components, rear suspension components, powertrain components) spaced from the passenger area for off-road durability, and a separate passenger area frame portion. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function independently - the stiff portions handle routine off-road stresses while the passenger area frame maintains occupancy space during impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy management structure between the stiff frame portions and the passenger area. This intermediary system absorbs and manages impact energy through controlled deformation mechanisms, preventing direct transmission of full impact energy to the passenger area while allowing the stiff portions to maintain their structural integrity for off-road durability.
2Reliability
If the vehicular frame is designed to be very stiff to prevent deformation during routine off-road usage, then off-road durability is improved, but the frame transmits impact energy to the passenger area, making it difficult to prevent deformation during impact events
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the frame are given different structural qualities tailored to their specific functions. The front and rear suspension components and powertrain components are designed with high stiffness for off-road durability, while the passenger area frame portion is designed with controlled deformation characteristics to manage impact energy and maintain occupancy space during collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame design incorporates predetermined energy management capabilities that activate during impact events. The structure is pre-configured with geometric features and material properties that enable controlled deformation to absorb impact energy before it reaches the passenger area, providing cushioning protection in advance of actual impact events.
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 system effectively manages impact energy by controlled deformation of the frame components, reducing intrusion into the passenger area and enhancing energy dissipation capacity during collisions, thereby improving occupant safety and vehicle integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the bent members can include a longitudinal portion that extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and that is configured to support the suspension components. Each of the bent members can also include a bend portion that extends from the respective longitudinal portion at an angle, and that is disposed between the respective longitudinal portion and the lower cross member of the main frame. The longitudinal and bend portions can be configured such that each of the bend portions deform, and each of the longitudinal portions continue to extend substantially longitudinally, if the impact energy applied to the vehicle exceeds a first threshold.
Data Source
AI summary
A crash management system includes a main frame that is configured to define a vehicular passenger compartment and that includes a lower cross member generally extending along a transverse direction of the vehicle. A front sub-frame includes a pair of bent members. Each of the bent members includes a longitudinal portion that extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and that is configured to support the suspension components. Each of the bent members also includes a bend portion that extends from the respective longitudinal portion at an angle and that is disposed between the respective longitudinal portion and the lower cross member of the main frame. The longitudinal and bend portions are configured such that each of the bend portions deform, and each of the longitudinal portions continue to extend substantially longitudinally, if the impact energy applied to the vehicle exceeds a first threshold.