Vehicle Front Body Structure for Offset Collision Load Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle-body front structures for electric vehicles are inadequate in absorbing impact loads during offset collisions, as the inclined pipe frames are ineffective in distributing the load to the vehicle-width-direction outer sides.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-body front structure featuring a battery casing with a front-side battery frame, extending left and right front side frames, and a first cross member that pivots to absorb impact loads by transmitting them along the axis direction of the front side frames, supported by frame brackets and impact absorption members, ensuring effective load distribution and absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the left pipe frame and right pipe frame are inclined to be positioned on vehicle-width-direction outer sides toward the front side, then impact load can be absorbed in offset collision, but impact load cannot be absorbed when collision occurs to vehicle-width-direction outer sides of front portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact load absorption capabilityVSAvoidcoverage of collision scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The first cross member extends beyond the front side frames in the vehicle width direction, adding a lateral dimension to the impact absorption structure. This allows the cross member to directly receive and transmit impact loads from the outer sides to the front side frames, complementing the existing longitudinal impact absorption path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The first cross member acts as an intermediary element that transfers impact loads from the vehicle-width-direction outer sides to the front side frames. It mediates between the external collision force and the front side frames, enabling effective load transmission in oblique collision scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a first cross member is added to extend to vehicle-width-direction outer sides, then impact load absorption is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact load absorption capabilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first cross member serves multiple functions: it connects the left and right front side frames, provides lateral support, and acts as an impact load transmission path. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural element by consolidating several roles into a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The first cross member is designed to perform rotational behavior about the front side frames when impacted, allowing dynamic load distribution. This rotational capability enables the structure to adapt to collision forces from various angles, improving impact absorption without requiring overly rigid or complex connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 structure effectively absorbs impact loads during offset collisions by allowing the first cross member to pivot and transmit loads to the front side frames, preventing collapse and ensuring efficient energy absorption, even when the impact is on the vehicle-width-direction outer sides.

Implementation Method 1

the first cross member performs rotational behavior in which its left-side portion moves rearward about the right-side portion as a pivot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational behavior:

Implementation Method 2

the impact load is transmitted to the left front side frame via the first cross member and is input in a direction along an axis direction of the left front side frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact load transmission: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4234370A1Vehicle-body front structure
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP4234370A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4234370A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4234370A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] An impact load is enabled to be absorbed by a side frame even in a case where an offset collision occurs to a vehicle-width-direction outer side of a front portion of the side frame. [Means for Solution] A vehicle-body front structure A includes a front-side battery frame 32 which is provided in a front portion of the battery casing 10, a pair of left and right side frames 11 and 12 which extend from the front-side battery frame 32 toward vehicle front to be positioned on vehicle-width-direction outer sides toward front, and a cross member 15 which is suspended between left and right. Outer end portions of the cross member 15 in a vehicle width direction extend to the vehicle-width-direction outer sides of outer end portions, in the vehicle width direction, of front portions of the side frames 11 and 12.