Vehicle Crash Management Frame with Inclined Guide and Detachable Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs face challenges in preventing the power source assembly from moving into the passenger compartment or contacting fuel system components during collisions, due to space constraints and styling requirements, which can lead to severe damage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle crash management apparatus featuring a frame configuration with an upper frame enclosing the power source assembly and a lower frame with a raised, inclined portion that guides the power source assembly upward and away from sensitive components upon impact, along with a mount assembly that detaches the power source assembly from the frame to dissipate impact energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the power source assembly is disposed close to fuel system components and passenger compartment to meet space constraints and styling requirements, then vehicle space utilization is improved, but the risk of severe damage upon collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into an upper frame and a lower frame with distinct functional zones. The lower frame contains a raised portion that creates a physical segmentation between the power source assembly movement path and the fuel system components, allowing close proximity while preventing contact during collision
Solution Approach 2:
The raised portion of the lower frame acts as an intermediary structure between the power source assembly and the fuel system components. This intermediate element guides the power source assembly's movement upward and away from sensitive components, mediating the interaction during collision events
2Reliability
If structures for managing stresses are added to prevent power source assembly movement, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crash management functionality is merged into the lower frame structure itself through the raised portion, rather than adding separate complex restraint mechanisms. The raised portion serves both as a structural element and as the primary guide for power source assembly movement during collision
Solution Approach 2:
The lower frame's raised portion serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides power source assembly movement during normal operation, and acts as the primary crash management element during collision. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components
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 solution effectively manages energy transfer during collisions, reducing the risk of damage to the passenger compartment and fuel system components by guiding the power source assembly away from critical areas and dissipating impact energy, thereby enhancing vehicular safety and reducing potential damage.
Implementation Method 1
The raised portion can include an inclined portion that defines an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction and is disposed to guide movement of the power source assembly upwardly
Implementation Method 2
The mount assembly can be configured to detach the power source assembly from the lower frame upon application of a predetermined threshold impact energy being transmitted to the power source assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments are directed to a vehicular energy management apparatus that includes a lower frame that defines a raised portion disposed longitudinally between a vehicular power source and fuel system components. The raised portion can include an inclined portion defining an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction, and disposed to guide movement of the power source upwardly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and away from the components of the fuel system upon movement of the power source in the longitudinal direction. A mount assembly that mounts the power source to the lower frame is configured to fail and thereby detach the power source from the lower frame upon application of a predetermined threshold impact energy being transmitted to the power source, thereby enabling the power source to move in the longitudinal direction and resulting in dissipation of at least a portion of the impact energy.