Curved Door Beam Structure for Side Collision Load Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door beam structures in vehicles face a decrease in load absorption characteristics when subjected to side collisions, as the side collision load is directly transmitted to the center pillar, leading to concerns about efficient load transmission to the vehicle body frame.
Innovation Solution
A door beam structure with a curved shape extending outward along the vehicle's transverse axis, spaced apart from the door skin, featuring a crush box and reinforcement members that absorb and redirect side collision loads to the vehicle body frame, minimizing impact on the center pillar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the door beam is provided with a protruding portion toward the center pillar, then the center pillar can be bent toward the cabin at the time of side collision, but the side collision load is directly transmitted to the center pillar, causing decrease in load absorption characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a curved portion as an intermediary structural element between the door beam and the center pillar. This curved portion acts as a mediator that redirects the side collision load from the door beam to the vehicle body frame through the door skin, preventing direct load transmission to the center pillar while maintaining the protruding portion's function of enabling controlled bending toward the cabin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a curved portion that extends in a direction different from the longitudinal axis of the door beam, creating a three-dimensional load path. This dimensional change allows the load to be distributed along a curved trajectory through the door skin to the vehicle body frame, rather than being transmitted linearly to the center pillar.
2Strength
If the door beam extends straight along the longitudinal axis, then the structure is simple, but the load absorption characteristics at the center portion decrease during side collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the door beam by providing a curved portion that extends in a direction different from the longitudinal axis. This curved geometry improves load absorption characteristics during side collision by creating a more efficient load path, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and integrated into the door beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the curved portion only at specific locations on the door beam where load absorption is critical, rather than making the entire door beam complex. This localized application of curvature maintains simplicity in non-critical areas while enhancing performance where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A door beam structure includes a door beam attached to a side door so as to extend along a longitudinal axis of a vehicle. The door beam has a curved shape extending outwardly along a transverse axis of the vehicle and is spaced apart from a door skin in an inward direction along the transverse axis as the door beam extends to opposite end portions, along the longitudinal axis, of the door beam. The door beam includes a first end portion located in a frontward direction along the longitudinal axis, the first end portion being opposite to a center pillar. The first end portion is provided with a crush box.