Front Longitudinal Beam Assembly for Small Overlap Crash Load Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 25% small overlap crashes, the front longitudinal beam of a vehicle body does not participate in energy absorption due to limited overlap, leading to poor impact resistance and potential bending during crashes.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body front structure with a front longitudinal beam assembly comprising a front longitudinal beam inner plate, cover plate, and support member, where the support member is connected within a groove formed by the inner and side plates, distributing impact forces evenly across the beam to prevent bending and enhance energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the front longitudinal beam is not involved in the crash due to small overlap, then the wheel cover region is protected, but the impact resistance of the vehicle body deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidenergy absorption capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The front longitudinal beam is divided into multiple segments including a first longitudinal beam, a second longitudinal beam, and a connecting component. This segmentation allows the beam structure to engage more effectively during small overlap crashes, distributing impact forces across multiple elements and enabling the beam to participate in energy absorption even when overlap is limited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting component extends in the width direction of the vehicle body, creating a three-dimensional force distribution system. This dimensional extension allows impact forces to be transferred from the wheel cover region through the connecting component to the front longitudinal beam, enabling energy absorption in a direction perpendicular to the traditional crash path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the front longitudinal beam does not participate in energy absorption, then the structure remains simple, but the crash safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam structure complexityVSAvoidcrash safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The front longitudinal beam system is segmented into multiple functional components (first longitudinal beam, second longitudinal beam, connecting component) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This modular approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling complex force distribution during crashes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting component acts as an intermediary element that bridges the wheel cover region and the front longitudinal beam. It transfers impact forces from the wheel cover area through the connecting component to the longitudinal beam, enabling energy absorption without requiring direct involvement of the entire beam structure in every crash scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If impact forces are concentrated on the front longitudinal beam, then energy absorption is efficient, but beam bending occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption efficiencyVSAvoidbeam structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The beam system is divided into multiple segments (first longitudinal beam, second longitudinal beam, connecting component) that share the impact load. This segmentation distributes concentrated forces across multiple elements, preventing any single beam from experiencing excessive stress that would cause bending while maintaining efficient energy absorption through the combined structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12600412B2Vehicle body front structure and vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 CHERY AUTOMOBILE CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a vehicle body front structure. The vehicle body front structure includes: a front longitudinal beam assembly, including a front longitudinal beam inner plate, a front longitudinal beam cover plate, and a front longitudinal beam support member, the front longitudinal beam inner plate including a longitudinal beam bottom plate and two longitudinal beam side plates, wherein the front longitudinal beam cover plate is opposite to the longitudinal beam bottom plate, a first portion of the front longitudinal beam support member is in a groove enclosed by the longitudinal beam bottom plate and the longitudinal beam side plates, a second portion of the front longitudinal beam support member is outside the groove; and a front wheel cover side reinforcement beam connected to the second portion.