Floor Member Reinforcing Structure for Collision Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
During a vehicle front collision, the floor member and floor cross member tend to separate, leading to a displacement that compromises the structural integrity of the vehicle body lower portion, as the collision load causes the floor member to bend convexly and the seated occupant's inertia causes the vehicle seat to tilt, resulting in a load being inputted obliquely to the floor cross member, which then displaces and separates from the floor panel.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body lower portion structure that includes a floor member extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, joined to a front side member, forming a closed cross-section with the floor panel, and a floor cross member intersecting the floor panel, with a reinforcing member extending in the longitudinal direction within this closed cross-section to reinforce both members, thereby suppressing separation by distributing the collision load and maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the floor member and floor cross member are joined without additional reinforcement, then the structure is simpler, but separation occurs between the floor panel and floor cross member during front collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structural system combining the floor member, floor cross member, and reinforcing member to create a unified load-bearing assembly. This composite structure distributes collision forces across multiple components, preventing separation between the floor panel and floor cross member while maintaining structural integrity during front collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The floor structure is divided into distinct functional segments: the floor member for longitudinal support, the floor cross member for transverse support and seat mounting, and the reinforcing member for enhanced connection strength. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively preventing separation under collision loads
2Reliability
If the floor member is reinforced with an additional member, then separation is suppressed during collision, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing member is pre-installed within the closed cross-section portion of the floor member before the floor cross member is attached. This preliminary placement ensures that the reinforcement is already positioned to provide optimal support during the subsequent joining process and during collision events, simplifying the overall manufacturing sequence
3Loss of energy
If the floor member is allowed to bend convexly toward the lower side during collision, then the structure absorbs impact energy, but separation from the floor panel occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing member is positioned within the closed cross-section portion to provide preliminary resistance against the convex bending of the floor member during collision. This pre-positioned reinforcement counteracts the separation tendency by maintaining structural integrity while allowing controlled energy-absorbing deformation
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle, a floor member reinforcing member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction within a closed cross-section portion that is formed by a floor member and a floor panel. The floor member reinforcing member intersects a second floor cross member as seen in plan view. Namely, a portion, that is reinforced by the floor member reinforcing member, of the floor member extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction so as to include a portion, that intersects the second floor cross member, of the floor member. Further, occurrence of bending due to collision load at the portion, that is reinforced by the floor member reinforcing member, of the floor member is suppressed. The reinforced portion of the floor member is displaced toward a vehicle obliquely upper front side following displacement of the second floor cross member toward a vehicle obliquely upper front side.