Discontinuous Multi-Overlapped Vehicle Body Member for Impact Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle body members fail to effectively absorb and distribute impact energy during deflection collisions, leading to buckling and excessive damage to the vehicle, which compromises safety and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A discontinuous multi-overlapped vehicle body member design featuring divided members with a front connecting part, a rear inserting part, and an impact absorbing part, where the rear inserting part is inserted into the front connecting part and connected through welding, allowing for frictional deformation to absorb and distribute impact energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional side member with connection flanges is used, then the structure can maintain stiffness and support the vehicle body, but it fails to effectively absorb and distribute impact energy during deflection collisions, leading to buckling and excessive damage
Solution Approach 1:
The side member is divided into multiple divided members (first, second, third divided members) with distinct functional regions. Each divided member has a front connecting part for structural connection, a rear inserting part for insertion, and an impact absorbing part with variable width. This segmentation allows different portions to perform specialized functions: the impact absorbing parts deform to absorb energy while the connecting parts maintain structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The divided members are configured to be inserted into each other in a nested arrangement. The rear inserting part of one divided member is inserted into the front connecting part of the adjacent divided member. This nested structure enables the members to move relative to each other during impact, allowing the impact absorbing parts to deform and dissipate energy through frictional deformation while maintaining overall structural connectivity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the side member is designed as a continuous structure, then it maintains structural stability, but it cannot effectively contract and deform in the longitudinal direction to absorb deflected impact energy
Solution Approach 1:
The side member structure transitions from a static continuous form to a dynamic segmented structure. The divided members can move relative to each other through the insertion connections, and the impact absorbing parts are designed with variable width to enable controlled deformation. During impact, the structure dynamically contracts and deforms in the longitudinal direction, allowing energy absorption while maintaining stability through the interconnected design
3Ease of manufacture
If welding portions are formed through spot welding to connect plates, then the side member can be manufactured with standardized processes, but the fragile portions become vulnerable to buckling under deflected impact loads
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the side member are designed with different structural qualities suited to their specific functions. The front connecting parts use standardized welding for easy manufacture, while the impact absorbing parts feature variable width designs that provide enhanced buckling resistance. The rear inserting parts are designed with smaller widths for insertion functionality. This local differentiation allows standardized manufacturing where appropriate while providing enhanced performance in critical impact zones
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
This design enhances impact absorption and distribution, reducing the risk of buckling and excessive damage, thereby improving safety and reducing manufacturing costs and weight while maintaining connectivity with other vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
the rear inserting part of one divided member in the plurality of divided members is inserted into the front connecting part of an adjacent divided member in the plurality of divided members, and the rear inserting part of the one divided member and the front connecting part of the adjacent divided member are connected by welding
Implementation Method 2
allowing for frictional deformation to absorb and distribute impact energy
Implementation Method 3
frictional deformation to absorb and distribute impact energy
Data Source
AI summary
A discontinuous multi-overlapped vehicle body member may include a plurality of divided members. Each of the divided members may include a front connecting part with a predetermined width and a predetermined length and positioned at a front side in a longitudinal direction, a rear inserting part with a predetermined width smaller than that of the front connecting part and a predetermined length, and positioned at a rear side in the longitudinal direction, an impact absorbing part formed between the front connecting part and the rear inserting part and has a width varied in the longitudinal direction. The rear inserting part of one divided member in the plurality of divided members may be inserted into the front connecting part of an adjacent divided member in the plurality of divided members, and the rear inserting part of the one divided member and the front connecting part of the adjacent divided member may be connected by welding.