Front Vehicle Body Structure Offset Crash Energy Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing front vehicle body structure fails to effectively distribute crash energy during a small offset crash, as the bumper beam's outer portions do not adequately transfer energy to other vehicle body parts, leading to insufficient structural strength at the rear sides of the bumper beam.
Innovation Solution
The front vehicle body structure incorporates fender apron front reinforcement members positioned at the rear sides of the bumper beam, directly connected to the side members, and a stay to enhance the connection strength between these members, forming a hollow quadrangular beam configuration that absorbs and distributes crash energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bumper beam's outer portions are positioned to extend beyond the side members, then the front end module can be mounted with proper spacing, but the crash energy cannot be effectively distributed to other vehicle body parts during small offset crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The fender apron reinforcement member is divided into front and rear portions that are coupled together to form a hollow quadrangular beam structure. This segmentation allows the reinforcement member to be strategically positioned at the rear side of the bumper beam's outer portions, creating distinct functional zones for energy absorption and distribution while maintaining proper mounting spacing for the front end module.
Solution Approach 2:
The fender apron reinforcement member extends in the traverse direction of the vehicle, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is positioned at the rear side of the bumper beam. This spatial arrangement in another dimension (traverse direction and rear position) allows crash energy to be effectively distributed to the side members and other vehicle body parts during small offset crashes, without interfering with the forward extension of the bumper beam's outer portions.
2Reliability
If the fender apron reinforcement member is positioned at the rear side of the bumper beam, then crash energy distribution is improved, but the connection strength between the reinforcement member and side member is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fender apron reinforcement member integrates both the front and rear portions into a single coupled structure that forms a hollow quadrangular beam. This merging creates a unified reinforcement element that spans the necessary distance from the bumper beam to the side member, ensuring adequate connection strength while maintaining the rear-side positioning for effective crash energy distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow quadrangular beam structure of the fender apron reinforcement member provides a composite-like configuration that enhances both structural strength and energy absorption capabilities. The hollow cross-section increases moment of inertia and structural rigidity, ensuring strong connection to the side member while the overall structure effectively distributes crash energy during collisions.
3Reliability
If additional reinforcement members and stays are added to enhance structural strength, then crash response performance is improved, but the number of components and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fender apron reinforcement member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reinforces the rear side of the bumper beam, distributes crash energy to the side members, and forms a coupled hollow quadrangular beam structure for enhanced structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reinforcement components, reducing the total number of parts while improving crash response performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The front and rear portions of the fender apron reinforcement member are coupled together to form a single integrated hollow quadrangular beam structure. This combination reduces the number of separate components that would otherwise be needed to achieve the same reinforcement and energy distribution effects, thereby simplifying the overall vehicle body structure while maintaining improved crash response performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A front vehicle body structure may include a front side member extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a fender apron upper member disposed in an outer direction of the front side member in a traverse direction of the vehicle, and a fender apron front reinforcement member extending in the traverse direction of the vehicle and connecting the fender apron upper member and the front side member.