Diagonal Vehicle Deformation Structure for EV Front Collision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically propelled vehicles face higher collision energy due to lower mass at the front, necessitating improved structures to protect sensitive components and absorb energy during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle deformation structure comprising a pair of front, rear, and intermediate frame elements, along with diagonally extending frame elements, forming a box-shaped structure that absorbs collision energy by deforming primarily in the longitudinal front zone, while maintaining the rear zone intact, using suspension and longitudinally extending frame elements for enhanced stiffness and attachment to vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the vehicle uses an electric propulsion system with lower front mass, then the vehicle achieves improved energy efficiency and environmental performance, but the collision energy at the front increases requiring additional protective structures
Solution Approach 1:
The front end structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a deformable front zone for energy absorption, an intermediate zone with diagonal frame elements for load distribution, and a protected rear zone for sensitive components. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously absorb collision energy while protecting electric driveline components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the front end structure have different mechanical properties: the front zone is designed with lower stiffness to deform and absorb energy, while the rear zone maintains higher stiffness to protect components. The diagonal frame elements create a gradient of structural rigidity along the longitudinal axis.
2Strength
If the vehicle deformation structure uses a traditional engine block design, then the structure provides adequate collision protection, but it cannot effectively protect electric driveline components positioned at the front end
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure extends in three dimensions with vertically extending frame elements connected by diagonal members, creating a volumetric protection zone. This 3D configuration provides both longitudinal and transverse protection for electric driveline components, unlike traditional 2D engine block designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagonal frame elements act as intermediary structures that transfer and distribute collision loads from the front deformable zone to the rear protected zone. These diagonal members create triangular load paths that enhance structural integrity while isolating sensitive components from direct impact forces.
3Loss of energy
If the vehicle deformation structure deforms the entire longitudinal zone during collision, then maximum energy absorption is achieved, but the protected volume for sensitive components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal zone is divided into a front deformable segment and a rear protected segment. The front segment absorbs collision energy through controlled deformation, while the rear segment maintains structural integrity to preserve protected volume for electric driveline components.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure exhibits spatially varying deformation characteristics: the front zone is designed with lower stiffness to deform and absorb energy, while the rear zone maintains higher stiffness to remain intact and protect components. This creates localized deformation zones that simultaneously achieve energy absorption and component protection.
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 structure effectively protects sensitive electric driveline components by absorbing collision energy and maintaining the rear zone integrity, providing improved protection and stiffness during frontal collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The diagonally extending frame elements will deform in a transversal direction away from each other. Thus, the volume formed inside the longitudinal front zone will be protected.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle deformation structure for protecting vehicle electric driveline components during a collision, the vehicle deformation structure comprising a pair of diagonally extending frame elements, wherein a first diagonally extending frame element extends between a first end portion of a first front frame element and a second end portion of a first rear frame element, and a second diagonally extending frame element extends between a first end portion of a second front frame element and a second end portion of a second rear frame element, wherein the first diagonally extending frame element is attached to a first intermediate frame element at a position between first and second end portions of the first intermediate frame element, and the second diagonally extending frame element is attached to a second intermediate frame element at a position between first and second end portions of the second intermediate frame element.