Deflector Device for Partially Overlapping Frontal Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
In partially overlapping frontal collisions, the lateral part of a vehicle's chassis is less stiff and absorbs less collision energy, leading to increased risk of wheel penetration into the passenger compartment and dangerous 'hooking' phenomena where wheels interlock, causing strong longitudinal forces and vehicle twist, which existing solutions like rounded bumpers or kinematic deflector devices do not adequately address at higher collision speeds.
Innovation Solution
A deflector device with a longitudinally displaceable deflection element, guided in a straight hollow profile forming an angle of 40 to 70 degrees with the longitudinal beam, which projects backward and pivots to prevent wheel interlocking by deflecting wheels outward, reducing deceleration forces and allowing vehicles to slide past each other, even if the other vehicle is not equipped with the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the front bumper is made extremely rounded and stiff to prevent wheel interlocking, then hooking is prevented, but the bumper cannot be strong enough at collision speeds and conflicts with other safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector device uses a dynamic mechanism where the deflection element can move from a retracted position to an extended position during collision. The linkage system allows the deflector to pivot and reach around the front wheel, actively counteracting hooking forces through controlled movement rather than static rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector is divided into multiple functional components: a deflection element for active wheel engagement, a linkage system for motion transmission, and a guide structure for controlled movement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve the hooking problem.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lateral part of the chassis is made stiffer to reduce wheel penetration risk, then passenger cell protection is improved, but collision energy absorption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the lateral chassis structure and the colliding wheel. It actively intervenes in the collision process by reaching around and pivoting the wheel, distributing forces in a way that protects the passenger cell without requiring excessive lateral chassis stiffness.
3Reliability
If a deflector device with extended deflection element is used to prevent hooking, then wheel interlocking is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection element is integrated with the linkage system and guide structure to form a unified deflector assembly. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the active hooking prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector device is designed to activate automatically upon collision contact, using the collision forces themselves to drive the deflection element into the extended position where it can counteract hooking. This self-activating mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A deflector device for motor vehicles, the front part of the chassis which comprises a left-hand and right-hand longitudinal beam, arranged before a front wheel and configured by a deflector that projects from the longitudinal beam in a substantially horizontal manner and backward at an angle to protect said front wheel in the case of a collision. The deflector device prevents the vehicles from being caught and being pushed off the road in the event of a partially overlapping frontal collision. The deflector device comprises a deflection element which can be longitudinally displaced from a rest position to an operational position, said deflection element consisting of a slider guided on or in the deflector and a forward-facing shoulder.