Dashboard Cross-Member Layout for Vehicle Collision Load Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-body structures face complications in load path connectivity due to complex and inefficient distribution of impact loads, leading to increased component count and weight, particularly in dashboard panels during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A dashboard panel vehicle-body structure utilizing a transverse member that overlaps a front pillar and extends through a dashboard panel, connected to a floor side member, enhancing load path connectivity and distributing impact loads efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate enhancing members are mounted at different locations to provide load paths for various collision modes, then collision protection performance is improved, but device complexity increases and component count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate enhancing members into a single integrated transverse member that spans across the dashboard panel. This transverse member integrates the functions of multiple separate members by providing a continuous load path that connects the front pillar, dashboard panel, and floor side member, thereby reducing component count while maintaining collision protection performance across different collision modes
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides load path connectivity for head-on collisions, offset collisions, and small overlap collisions. By extending from the front pillar through the dashboard panel to the floor side member, it creates a universal structural element that handles various collision scenarios without requiring separate enhancing members for each mode
2Reliability
If separate enhancing members are mounted to provide load paths for different collision modes, then collision protection is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate enhancing members into one integrated transverse member that provides continuous load path connectivity. This single member replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components mounted at different locations, thereby reducing the total component count while maintaining the ability to protect against various collision modes through its extended structure
3Reliability
If multiple separate enhancing members are used to distribute impact loads, then load distribution is improved, but connection efficiency decreases due to insufficient connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse member merges multiple enhancing members into a single continuous structure that provides uninterrupted load path connectivity from the front pillar through the dashboard panel to the floor side member. This continuous structure eliminates the connection gaps that would exist between separate members, thereby improving connection efficiency while maintaining effective load distribution across the vehicle body structure
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a dashboard panel vehicle-body structure with enhanced load path connectivity, the structure including a transverse member configured in such a manner that a first end portion thereof overlaps at least one portion of a front pillar of a vehicle and extends in a widthwise direction of the vehicle up to a dashboard panel, wherein the transverse member is configured to extend up to an outer edge of the front pillar.