Vehicle Cross Member Load Path Profile for Crash Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross member assemblies in vehicles fail to effectively distribute forces during a head-on crash, leading to potential deformation and inadequate force transfer to critical components.
Innovation Solution
A cross member assembly with a defined, elevated or recessed load path profile that extends transversely over the vehicle width, supporting longitudinal members and connecting to other vehicle components, allowing for targeted force distribution and stiffening, while maintaining a conventional structure and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional cross member assemblies are used, then the structure is simple, but force distribution during head-on crash is inadequate leading to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member is provided with a load path profile having elevated or recessed sections at specific locations to concentrate and guide forces along defined paths. This local structural modification enhances force distribution capability during crashes without requiring complete redesign of the entire cross member structure, thus improving strength while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The load path profile is segmented into elevated portions and recessed portions that create distinct force conduction zones. These segmented regions guide forces through specific pathways to critical components, enabling targeted force distribution while keeping the overall structure manageable and not excessively complex.
2Reliability
If conventional cross member assemblies are used, then the structure is simple, but load distribution is non-uniform leading to inadequate crash performance
Solution Approach 1:
By providing elevated or recessed sections at specific locations on the cross member, the invention creates localized zones that guide and distribute forces uniformly along defined load paths. This ensures homogeneous force distribution to critical components during crashes, improving reliability without requiring complex overall structural changes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cross member is stiffened to prevent footwell intrusion, then crash protection improves, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevated or recessed load path profile creates localized stiffening zones that guide forces away from the footwell area through defined pathways. This provides targeted reinforcement where needed to prevent footwell intrusion while avoiding the need to uniformly thicken or strengthen the entire cross member, thus minimizing weight increase.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cross member assembly, in particular a floor cross member assembly and/or a footwell cross member assembly, on a vehicle body, having a cross member (4) which extends in the vehicle transverse direction and on which at least one longitudinal member (6), to which force may be applied, in particular in a crash situation, and which essentially extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, is supported by force in a defined longitudinal member supporting area (13), the cross member assembly having at least one member component (9, 10, 11) which extends away from the cross member (4) diametrically opposed to the longitudinal member (6) to which force may be applied and/or which is connected in a member component connecting area. According to the invention, a defined, force-conducting load path profile (12), which is designed to be elevated and/or recessed in relation to an adjacent surface area of the cross member (4), is provided on the cross member (4) and extends from the longitudinal member supporting area (13) in the direction of or up to at least one member component (9, 10, 11) and forms a defined load path area on the cross member side.