Deformable Lift-Gate Applique for Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of vehicle liftgates and trunk lids often requires a pronounced styling feature or additional panels to offset the bumper, which can make them more prone to damage in low-speed impacts, as the energy absorption is not effectively distributed, leading to increased repair costs.
Innovation Solution
A movable enclosure with a deformable panel attached to the liftgate that secures to the vehicle body, allowing the panel to deform and absorb impact energy, reducing the transfer of force to the liftgate and minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lift-gate is offset from the bumper to allow energy absorption, then the bumper can absorb impact energy, but a pronounced styling feature is required which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The lift-gate is segmented into a rigid portion (attached to the vehicle body) and a deformable panel portion (attached to the rigid portion). This segmentation allows the deformable panel to absorb impact energy through deformation while the rigid portion maintains the streamlined shape, resolving the contradiction between impact absorption and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel's material properties are changed to be deformable under impact forces. The panel is designed with specific material characteristics that allow it to deform elastically or plastically during low-speed impacts, absorbing energy while maintaining the overall streamlined shape of the lift-gate.
2Shape
If additional panels are added to reduce offset, then the streamlined design is improved, but the lift-gate becomes more prone to damage in impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The panel's material properties are changed to be deformable under impact forces. The panel is designed with specific material characteristics that allow it to deform elastically or plastically during low-speed impacts, absorbing energy while maintaining the overall streamlined shape of the lift-gate.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable panel is designed to be sacrificial - it is intended to deform or fail during impacts, converting the harmful impact energy into deformation work. This protects the more expensive rigid portion and vehicle body from damage, turning the potential harm of panel deformation into a beneficial protective mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the panel is fixedly secured to the lift-gate, then the panel remains stable, but impact energy is transferred to the lift-gate causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic semi-permanent connection. The deformable panel is attached to the rigid portion with fasteners that allow the panel to deform relative to the rigid portion during impacts. After impact, the panel can be reattached, providing a dynamic solution that balances stability with impact energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lift-gate is segmented into a rigid portion (attached to the vehicle body) and a deformable panel portion (attached to the rigid portion). This segmentation allows the deformable panel to absorb impact energy through deformation while the rigid portion maintains the streamlined shape, resolving the contradiction between impact absorption and aesthetic appearance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The deformable panel effectively absorbs impact energy, reducing the likelihood of liftgate damage and maintaining a more streamlined design by distributing the force away from the liftgate, thus reducing repair costs and maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
Upon receipt of an impact by the panel, the deformable portion is operable to deform to minimize transfer of the impact to the movable enclosure
Implementation Method 2
the deformable portion is operable to deform to minimize transfer of the impact to the movable enclosure
Implementation Method 3
the bumper assembly and the deformable portion are each operable to deform to absorb the impact and at least minimize transfer of the impact to the movable enclosure
Implementation Method 4
the bumper assembly and the deformable portion are each operable to deform to absorb the impact
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a vehicle body having a bumper assembly and a lift-gate. The bumper assembly protrudes outward from the lift-gate when the lift-gate is in a closed position. A panel is attached to an outer surface of the lift-gate that reduces a distance that the bumper assembly protrudes outward from the lift-gate. The panel includes an attachment portion that fixedly secures the panel to the outer surface, and includes a deformable portion that releasably secures the panel to a terminal edge of the lift-gate. Upon receipt of an impact by the vehicle, the bumper assembly and the deformable portion are each operable to deform to absorb the impact and at least minimize transfer of the impact to the lift-gate.