Deforming Wheelhouse Structure for Rear-Impact Fuel Pipe Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wheelhouse designs in vehicles are inadequate in addressing the risk of fuel pipe damage during rear-impact collisions, particularly due to loading from spare tires or carriers, which can lead to separation of wheelhouse panels and potential fuel leakage or fire.
Innovation Solution
A deforming rear wheelhouse structure with additional structural members, including straighter flange profiles, increased weld pitch, weld gaps, and stiffening beads, is designed to control deformation and prevent the wheelhouse panels from contacting the fuel pipe by promoting specific bend modes and outward movement during a rear impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wheelhouse designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler and weight is lower, but the risk of fuel pipe damage increases during rear-impact collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelhouse flange is segmented into multiple zones with different structural characteristics: a first region with reduced thickness for controlled deformation and a second region with standard thickness for structural integrity. This segmentation allows the structure to deform in a controlled manner during rear-impact collisions, directing energy away from the fuel pipe while maintaining overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the wheelhouse flange are given different local properties: the first region has reduced thickness to promote bending and energy absorption, while the second region maintains standard thickness for structural support. This local differentiation enables the structure to simultaneously protect the fuel pipe and maintain manufacturing efficiency.
2Reliability
If increased structural members and stiffening beads are added, then panel separation and fuel pipe contact are prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Stiffening beads are pre-formed on the wheelhouse outer panel at specific locations before assembly. These beads create predetermined deformation zones that guide the bending behavior during rear-impact collisions, preventing panel separation and fuel pipe contact while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the wheelhouse flange is changed in the first region by reducing it compared to the second region. This parameter change creates controlled weak points that deform during collisions, preventing panel separation while requiring minimal additional structural members.
3Weight of moving object
If thinner steel is used for wheelhouse panels, then weight is reduced and bending is promoted, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelhouse flange is divided into regions with different thicknesses: the first region uses thinner steel to promote controlled bending and reduce weight, while the second region uses standard thickness to maintain structural strength. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve both weight reduction and sufficient strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the wheelhouse have different material thickness properties. The first region has reduced thickness for weight reduction and controlled deformation, while the second region maintains standard thickness for structural integrity, achieving optimal balance between weight and strength.
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 modified wheelhouse design effectively reduces the risk of fuel pipe damage by controlling panel deformation and preventing contact, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the likelihood of secondary damage such as fuel leakage or fire in rear-impact collisions.
Implementation Method 1
the outer panel bends in locations proximate to the first stiffening bead more easily than in locations remote from the first stiffening bead
Implementation Method 2
stiffening beads at key locations on the wheelhouse outer panel help promote a specific bend mode of the wheelhouse flanges and wheelhouse outer panel
Implementation Method 3
a straighter flange profile, increased weld pitch, and weld gaps at key locations all help to control specific bend points along the flanges
Implementation Method 4
A more convex shape for the wheelhouse outer panel again helps promote the outward movement of the wheelhouse and specific bend mode of the wheelhouse during the rear impact collision event
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a wheelhouse structure of a vehicle, including an inner panel with an inner flange that includes a straight portion, and an outer panel with an outer flange sized and shaped to interface with the inner flange along at least the straight portion. The outer panel includes a stiffening bead situated forward from, or proximate to a forward portion of, the straight portion. The wheelhouse structure also includes a plurality of joins coupling the inner flange to the outer flange, and a gap in the plurality of joins that is aligned with the first stiffening bead. When a rear portion of the wheelhouse structure is subjected to a loading force in a forward direction, the outer panel bends in locations proximate to the stiffening bead more easily than in locations remote from the stiffening bead.