Dual Impact Energy Absorbing Structure for Vehicle Crash Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional primary crash protection systems are insufficient for compact, electric, bidirectional, and autonomous vehicles, failing to adequately protect vehicle components and passengers during crashes, particularly due to vulnerabilities such as large batteries that can be damaged by internal structures during collisions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual impact energy absorbing structure system within vehicles, comprising a first structure at the vehicle's distal end to absorb external impact energy and a second internal structure to mitigate damage from displaceable objects, such as heavy components, by deflecting or changing their motion to prevent impact with critical components like batteries or passenger compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional primary crash protection systems are used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the protection capability against internal component displacement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The crash protection system is divided into multiple independent energy absorbing structures positioned at different locations within the vehicle. Each structure independently absorbs energy from specific displaceable objects, allowing the system to protect multiple critical components simultaneously while maintaining modular simplicity in each individual structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Energy absorbing structures are positioned as intermediary elements between displaceable objects (such as batteries, motors, or suspension components) and critical protected objects (such as passenger compartments). These intermediary structures absorb impact energy and prevent direct contact between displaceable objects and critical components during crashes.
2Reliability
If energy absorbing structures are added to protect critical components, then crash protection is improved, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorbing structures utilize changes in material properties and structural configuration during impact events. By designing structures that undergo controlled deformation, buckling, or collapse at specific stress thresholds, the system absorbs impact energy through parameter changes rather than requiring excessive material mass, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining protection capability.
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 dual structure system effectively absorbs and redirects impact energy, reducing damage to protected objects within the vehicle by distributing and dissipating the force of collisions, thereby enhancing the overall crash protection beyond conventional primary systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first impact energy absorbing structure disposed at a distal end of the vehicle and configured to absorb energy from an impact with an external object
Implementation Method 2
the second impact energy absorbing structure configured to protect the protected object from impact by the displaceable object being displaced toward the protected object during collision
Data Source
AI summary
An impact energy absorbing system for a vehicle includes a first impact energy absorbing structure to absorb energy from an impact with an external object, and a second energy absorbing structure to absorb energy from an impact with an internal displaceable object internal. The second energy absorbing structure may be disposed between the displaceable object and a protected object internal to the vehicle. The second impact energy absorbing structure may be disposed within the vehicle and configured to protect the protected object from impact by the displaceable object being displaced toward the protected object during a collision. Additionally, the second impact energy absorbing structure may cause the displaceable object to avoid impacting and/or damaging the protected object.