Curved Vehicle Cross Member Structure for Oblique Side-Load Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross member structures in vehicle bodies are ineffective in absorbing loads input from lateral sides, particularly when the load is offset from the cross member in the front-rear direction, leading to decreased energy absorption efficiency and potential transmission of the load to components like the fuel tank.
Innovation Solution
A cross member structure with a curved portion extending outward from the reinforcement in the vehicle width direction, along with a connecting bracket and beads, is designed to absorb oblique loads by aligning them with the longitudinal direction of the cross member, thereby preventing deformation in the front-rear direction and enhancing load absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cross member structure extends in a substantially straight line from the cross member to the side sill, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the energy absorption efficiency decreases when a load is input at a position offset from the cross member in the front-rear direction
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member is designed with a curved portion that curves outward from the reinforcement in the vehicle width direction. This curved configuration allows the cross member to effectively absorb oblique loads by aligning them with its longitudinal direction through deformation, converting the straight-line structure into a curved energy-absorbing pathway that maintains manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving load absorption efficiency
2Device complexity
If the cross member structure uses a straight-line configuration, then the structural complexity is low, but the cross member may bend in the front-rear direction causing load transmission to components like the fuel tank
Solution Approach 1:
The curved portion of the cross member, which curves outward from the reinforcement, is specifically designed to absorb oblique loads through controlled deformation. This curvature transforms the structural configuration to prevent front-rear bending and load transmission to protected components, achieving enhanced reliability without substantially increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cross member's geometry is modified by introducing a curved portion with specific curvature radius and orientation. This parameter change in the structural shape enables the cross member to effectively redirect and absorb oblique loads, preventing load transmission to components like the fuel tank while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Data Source
AI summary
A cross member structure of a vehicle body includes a floor panel (2) provided below a vehicle interior in the vehicle body (10); side sills (3) that are provided on both sides of the floor panel (2) in a vehicle width direction and extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body (10); a cross member (4) that extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the side sills (3) to each other; and a reinforcement (5) that is provided between the cross member (4) and the floor panel (2) and extends in the vehicle width direction, wherein the cross member (4) includes a curved portion (41) that is curved to at least one side in a vertical direction of the vehicle body (10) outward from the reinforcement (5) in the vehicle width direction.