Cylindrical Rib Structure for Vehicle Pedestrian Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pedestrian protection apparatuses at the lower region of a vehicle's front face deteriorate aerodynamic performance due to horizontal ribs and connecting ribs that obstruct airflow, despite effectively protecting pedestrians by absorbing impact.
Innovation Solution
A pedestrian protection apparatus with a reinforcing portion composed of cylindrical structures arranged in a line, featuring vertical ribs connected by upper and lower connecting plates that extend in the front-to-back direction, eliminating horizontal elements that could obstruct airflow and enhancing aerodynamic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If horizontal ribs and connecting ribs are used to reinforce the front section, then deformation strength is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to airflow obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing portion is segmented into multiple cylindrical structures (three or more) arranged in a line along the vehicle width direction. Each cylindrical structure contains vertical ribs extending in the front-to-back direction, replacing the conventional horizontal rib structure. This segmentation maintains reinforcement effectiveness while allowing airflow to pass through the gaps between cylindrical structures, reducing aerodynamic drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement structure transitions from a two-dimensional horizontal rib arrangement to a three-dimensional cylindrical structure arrangement. The vertical ribs extend in the front-to-back direction (depth dimension) rather than horizontally across the width, creating a spatial configuration that preserves structural strength while minimizing aerodynamic interference by allowing air to flow through and around the structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If a resin molded product is used for the pedestrian protection apparatus, then manufacturing ease is improved, but structural complexity increases to achieve sufficient deformation strength
Solution Approach 1:
The pedestrian protection apparatus is manufactured as a single integrated resin molded product. The reinforcing portion with multiple cylindrical structures, vertical ribs, and connecting plates is formed in one molding operation, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps. This merging of components simplifies manufacturing while the cylindrical structure design inherently provides the necessary structural complexity for deformation strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle is provided that can sufficiently protect a pedestrian and can advantageously improve aerodynamic performance at a lower region of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a reinforcing portion at a front section thereof. The reinforcing portion includes a plurality of cylindrical structures that extend in a front to back direction of the vehicle and are arranged in a line in a vehicle width direction. The cylindrical structures include: vertical ribs that are opposed to each other in the vehicle width direction and extend in the front to back direction of the vehicle; an upper connecting plate that extends across upper ends of all of the vertical ribs so as to integrally connect the upper ends; and a lower connecting plate that extends across lower ends of all of the vertical ribs so as to integrally connect the lower ends.