Vehicle Front End Offset Layout for Trim Module Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing front face designs of motor vehicles are prone to damage during low-speed impacts due to the exposure of expensive and fragile trim modules, which integrate technical and aesthetic functionalities, leading to increased repair costs.
Innovation Solution
A front face design featuring an upper and lower portion with a horizontal offset along the longitudinal axis, where the lower portion absorbs the impact, protecting the recessed upper portion and its integrated trim module, thereby reducing or preventing damage during low-speed collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the trim module is integrated into the front end to provide aesthetic and technical functionalities, then the added value and functionality of the vehicle are improved, but the vulnerability to damage during impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front end is divided into an upper portion containing the trim module and a lower portion acting as impact absorber. This segmentation allows the lower portion to be sacrificial while protecting the valuable upper portion components during impact
Solution Approach 2:
The lower portion acts as an intermediary protective element between the impactor and the upper portion. It absorbs impact energy through deformation, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the trim module
2Shape
If the front end is designed with exposed trim modules for aesthetic purposes, then the visual appeal is improved, but the exposure to impact damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front end adopts an asymmetric configuration where the upper portion with trim modules is set back relative to the lower portion. This asymmetric offset positioning allows the lower portion to protrude forward and absorb impact before it reaches the aesthetically important upper portion
3Reliability
If the lower portion is positioned to absorb impact, then the protection of the upper portion is improved, but the horizontal offset between portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution introduces a horizontal dimension offset between the upper and lower portions along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This dimensional displacement allows the lower portion to be positioned forward to absorb impact while the upper portion remains setback and protected
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The front face (2) for vehicle (1) comprises: - an upper portion (3) having a first external surface (5), the upper portion comprising a trim module (7) including an electromagnetic wave diffusion element, the trim module further comprising an external surface transparent or translucent to said electromagnetic waves; - a lower portion (4) having a second external surface (9), in which an upper end of the lower portion (4) and a lower end of the upper portion (3) are adjacent and offset horizontally along a longitudinal axis (X) of the vehicle such that the upper end of the second external surface (9) is located further forward of the vehicle (1) than the lower end of the first external surface (5), and in which the offset (d1) along the longitudinal axis (X) of the vehicle (1) is between 10 and 100 mm.