Engine Protection Device for Frontal Impact Absorption

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for protecting a motor vehicle's combustion engine from damage during a frontal impact, particularly from rigid mechanical parts like the transmission shaft, are costly and unsuitable for less expensive vehicles with small displacement engines.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a first undulating element for attaching the engine to the engine subframe and a second protective element, located above the first, which is fixed to the engine and positioned between the engine and transmission shaft to absorb impact, forming a single piece made of sheet steel by bending and stamping, ensuring the engine's secure attachment and protection from the transmission shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a relay bearing is used to protect the engine from the transmission shaft during frontal impact, then the engine is protected from damage, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine protection from transmission shaft impactVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the engine attachment function and the transmission shaft protection function into a single integrated device. The device includes a first element for attaching the engine to the cradle and a second element for protecting against the transmission shaft, both formed as one piece from sheet steel through bending and stamping operations. This merging eliminates the need for separate relay bearing components while maintaining both protective and attachment functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a simple sheet steel construction that can be manufactured at low cost through bending and stamping. The device prioritizes cost-effectiveness over using expensive relay bearing components, accepting that the sheet steel device serves its protective function without the complexity and cost of precision bearing assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a relay bearing is used to protect the engine, then the engine is protected from transmission shaft impact, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine protection from transmission shaft impactVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the engine attachment function and the transmission shaft protection function into a single integrated device. The device includes a first element for attaching the engine to the cradle and a second element for protecting against the transmission shaft, both formed as one piece from sheet steel through bending and stamping operations. This merging eliminates the need for separate relay bearing components while maintaining both protective and attachment functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If expensive relay bearing protection is used, then the engine is protected from impact, but the solution is economically unattractive for less expensive vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine protection from transmission shaft impactVSAvoideconomic attractiveness for different vehicle segments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a simple sheet steel construction that can be manufactured at low cost through bending and stamping. The device prioritizes cost-effectiveness over using expensive relay bearing components, accepting that the sheet steel device serves its protective function without the complexity and cost of precision bearing assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material and structural parameters from precision-engineered relay bearings to simple sheet steel construction. This parameter change enables the same protective function to be achieved at a much lower cost, making the solution economically attractive for less expensive vehicles with small displacement engines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device effectively prevents engine intrusion into the passenger compartment by securing the engine to the cradle and protecting it from the transmission shaft's impact, reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for a transmission relay bearing and allowing the use of low mechanical strength materials.

Implementation Method 1

said means being able to comprise an elastic shoe placed between the oil sump of the engine and said first element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the lower part of the first element comprises means for absorbing the vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2780214B1Device for protecting the engine of a motor vehicle in the event of frontal impact

Publication Date: 2015.06.03 PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a protection device (40) for the engine (10) located in the front of a motor vehicle, in the event of frontal impact, said vehicle being equipped with an engine subframe (32) and a driveshaft (18) located behind said engine, said device comprising a first element (42) capable of ensuring that the engine connects to the engine subframe in the event of frontal impact. According to the invention, the device additionally comprises a second element (44) for protecting the engine from the impact of said driveshaft (18) against the engine (10) in the event of frontal impact.