Collapsible Door-Trim Top Roll for Side-Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle door-trim panels lack effective energy absorption mechanisms during side impact crashes, potentially leading to increased deflection of the thorax of vehicle occupants, which can result in injury.
Innovation Solution
The design of a door-trim panel with a top roll featuring pairs of ribs and grooves that collapse upon impact, absorbing energy from the occupant's movement and reducing thorax deflection by distributing force across the panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the door-trim panel uses a rigid structure to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but energy absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The top roll is segmented into multiple ribs (first rib, second rib, third rib, fourth rib) spaced apart from each other, creating a structured framework that can deform in a controlled manner during impact while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structure is designed to dynamically collapse and deform during impact events, transitioning from a rigid appearance to a controlled deformation state that absorbs energy, while returning to its original shape after the impact
2Stability of the object's composition
If the door-trim panel uses a rigid structure to maintain shape stability, then shape is improved, but thorax deflection reduction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are positioned at specific locations between the ribs, creating localized deformation zones that concentrate energy absorption in specific areas while maintaining stability in other regions of the top roll
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves create three-dimensional deformation pathways between the ribs, allowing the structure to absorb energy through multi-directional collapse rather than simple linear compression
3Device complexity
If the door-trim panel uses a simple flat structure, then device complexity is reduced, but energy distribution capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The top roll is divided into multiple ribs and grooves that segment the impact force into multiple interaction points, distributing energy absorption throughout the structure rather than concentrating it at a single location
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs and grooves are combined into an integrated structure where the grooves are formed between the ribs, creating a unified component that performs both structural support and energy absorption functions
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 collapsing top roll effectively absorbs energy from the occupant's impact, minimizing thorax deflection and enhancing crash energy management within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
the pairs of ribs allow the top roll to collapse. The collapsing top roll absorbs energy from the vehicle occupant
Data Source
AI summary
A door-trim panel for a vehicle includes an armrest and a top roll extending upwardly from the armrest to an upper end. The upper end has an inboard portion and an outboard portion and the upper end is elongated along a longitudinal axis. The top roll includes pairs of ribs spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis. The pairs of ribs include an inboard rib extending from the inboard portion toward the outboard portion to an outboard end. The pairs of ribs include an outboard rib adjacent to and spaced from the inboard rib of that pair. The outboard rib extends from the outboard portion toward the inboard portion to an inboard end of the outboard rib. The inboard ribs and outboard ribs are elongated transverse to the longitudinal axis. The inboard end and the outboard end are spaced from the inboard portion of the top roll.