Vehicle Front Deflector Reinforcement for Small Overlap Crashes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small overlap crashes pose a significant risk of occupant injury due to the absence of main crash structures being engaged, leading to increased exit speed and reduced energy absorption, with existing deflector designs either adding weight or failing to provide sufficient structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement member is integrated inside the deflector, spaced apart from its inner sides, to enhance structural integrity without increasing thickness, allowing energy absorption and guiding the vehicle away from the impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the deflector thickness is increased to improve structural integrity, then the deflector can better resist deformation during crash, but the weight of the front body structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is positioned inside the cavity of the deflector, utilizing the internal three-dimensional space rather than increasing the external dimensions. This allows the deflector to maintain its original thickness and weight while gaining internal structural support that prevents rupture and enhances energy dissipation capacity during SPOC crashes.
2Reliability
If the deflector is designed to slide along the barrier to reduce entanglement, then occupant safety is improved, but the exit speed of the vehicle increases due to reduced energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member changes the mechanical parameters of the deflector by providing internal support that allows controlled deformation. This enables the deflector to maintain its gliding function while absorbing more energy through the reinforcement member's deformation, thereby reducing the vehicle's exit speed from the collision.
3Strength
If the reinforcement member is positioned close to the inner sides of the deflector, then the structural support is maximized, but the available space for energy dissipation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is positioned in the middle of the cavity, utilizing the internal three-dimensional space rather than attaching to the inner surfaces. This spatial arrangement provides structural support through the cavity while maintaining the full volume available for energy dissipation during deformation.
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 reinforcement member improves crash performance by maintaining structural integrity and energy dissipation, reducing severe deformation and enhancing occupant safety in small overlap collisions without adding weight.
Implementation Method 1
the reinforcement member may, in addition to the deflector surrounding it, be deformed for energy dissipation upon impact in a SPOC
Implementation Method 2
front body structures of vehicles may be designed according to a glance off strategy, in which the vehicle glances off a barrier with a residual velocity rather than coming to a complete stop
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a front body structure (1) of a vehicle (100), the front body structure (1) comprising a deflector (10), the deflector (10) extending in length along a longitudinal direction (LD) of the front body structure (1), and the deflector (1) comprising a reinforcement member (20) extending in a first direction (FD) inside a cavity (15) of the deflector (10), wherein the reinforcement member (20) along its extension in the first direction (FD) is at least partially spaced apart from opposite inner sides (13a, 14a) of the deflector (10).