Electric Vehicle Chassis Frontal Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle chassis designs for electric vehicles reduce storage space under the central floor due to the presence of central beams, limiting battery capacity and vehicle autonomy, especially in compact vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A chassis design that eliminates central longitudinal members by using side members and front crossmembers to transfer forces during a frontal impact, allowing for the free space under the floor to be used for battery storage, with additional brackets and side crosspieces enhancing rigidity and force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central beam is installed under the floor to transfer forces during frontal impact, then the force transfer capability is improved, but the storage space for batteries under the floor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the force transfer function into multiple segments: side members (3, 4) that extend along the vehicle, a front crossmember (5) that connects them, and a transmission tunnel (6) that passes under the floor. This segmentation allows the central beam to be eliminated while maintaining force transfer capability through the distributed structure of side members and crossmember.
Solution Approach 2:
The front crossmember (5) acts as an intermediary element that connects the side members (3, 4) to the transmission tunnel (6). It transfers forces from the side members to the tunnel without requiring a central beam under the floor, thus enabling force transfer while preserving battery storage space.
2Volume of stationary object
If side members are used to transfer forces, then the storage space under the floor is improved, but the structural rigidity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brackets (12) are pre-installed on the side members (3, 4) to provide attachment points for the front crossmember (5). This preliminary preparation ensures that when impact forces occur, the crossmember can immediately connect the side members to the transmission tunnel, maintaining structural rigidity without requiring additional reinforcement that would reduce storage space.
3Reliability
If brackets with inclined blanks are added to connect spars and crossmember, then the force transmission to the transmission tunnel is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brackets (12) feature inclined blanks that extend in an oblique direction between the side members and the transmission tunnel. This dimensional change from straight to inclined configuration optimizes the force transmission path, allowing forces to be directed more effectively toward the tunnel while the brackets remain integrated into the existing side member structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a chassis (1) of a motor vehicle which is provided with a means for absorbing a frontal impact including two side rails (3) mounted on a front portion (1a) of the chassis (1) and arranged on either side of the chassis (1), a front crossmember (4) mounted under the floor (7) of the passenger compartment of the vehicle in contact with a transmission tunnel (5) arranged on a central axis and extending from the front crossmember (4) towards a rear portion (1c) of the chassis (1). Each side rail (3) includes one end (32) mounted such as to engage with the front crossmember (4).