Impact-Absorbing Cross Member With Movable Side Impact Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impact-absorbing cross members for vehicles are unable to effectively absorb side impacts without damaging the central unit or the vehicle body, which is a concern for meeting RCAR crash requirements.
Innovation Solution
The impact-absorbing cross member features side impact elements that are movable relative to the central unit and supported by impact energy absorption elements. These elements include pre-formed wall elements that fold for optimal energy absorption, ensuring the central unit and vehicle body remain undamaged during a side impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cross member uses a rigid central unit connected to support elements, then structural strength is improved, but impact energy cannot be absorbed without damaging the central unit or vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member is divided into a rigid central unit and separate movable side impact elements connected by impact energy absorption elements. This segmentation allows the central unit to maintain structural strength while the side elements absorb impact energy independently, preventing damage transmission to the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
Impact energy absorption elements serve as intermediaries between the rigid central unit and the side impact elements. These elements absorb and dissipate impact energy through controlled deformation, protecting the central unit and vehicle body from direct impact forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the side impact elements are fixed to the central unit, then structural stability is improved, but impact energy absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side impact elements are designed to be movable relative to the central unit, connected through impact energy absorption elements that allow controlled movement during impact. This dynamic configuration enables the structure to adapt to impact forces, absorbing energy through the movement and deformation of the absorption elements while maintaining structural stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the impact energy absorption elements have uniform cross-section, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but defined deformation behavior for optimal energy absorption deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The impact energy absorption elements feature a varying cross-sectional area along their length, with a smaller impact-side cross-section and a larger support-side cross-section. This local variation in geometry is specifically designed to control the deformation behavior during impact, creating defined fold lines and ensuring optimal energy absorption while remaining manufacturable.
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 absorbs impact energy from side collisions, preventing damage to the central unit and vehicle body, thus meeting RCAR crash requirements and ensuring vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
the impact energy absorption elements have pre-formed wall elements extending in a direction of extent from the respective support element to the corresponding side impact element, which wall elements are foldable for impact energy absorption
Implementation Method 2
the folding makes it possible to optimally absorb the impact energy
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide an impact-absorbing cross member which is mountable under a bumper unit of a vehicle body on a rear region thereof, wherein the cross member extends in a transverse direction running parallel to the bumper unit and has support elements arranged at the ends for support on side regions of the vehicle body, and wherein the support elements are connected to one another by a central unit of the cross member, which is capable of absorbing a side impact without the central unit being damaged and without the vehicle body also being damaged, it is proposed that side impact elements are provided on both sides of the central unit and are arranged so as to be movable relative thereto and are supported on the support elements of the cross member by means of impact energy absorption elements.