Vehicle Front Frame Member Layout to Suppress Local Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-body front structures with obliquely extending pipe frames face issues with non-uniform compression and reduced collision-load absorption when subjected to frontal collisions due to localized buckling, particularly affecting the outward-side part of the pipe frame.
Innovation Solution
A frame member with a closed-cross section design featuring varying bending rigidities among its walls, where the first vertical wall has the highest rigidity, followed by the second vertical wall and inner walls, ensuring uniform compression and improved collision-load absorption by preventing local buckling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the pipe frame extends obliquely forward-and-outward to absorb collision load from oblique sides, then the collision-load absorption capability in offset-vehicle collision is improved, but the uniform compression capability in frontal collision deteriorates due to local buckling at the outward-side part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the first vertical wall (outward-side part) have different thickness than the second vertical wall (inward-side part). Specifically, the first vertical wall has a greater thickness to provide higher local rigidity and prevent buckling in the region that experiences higher stress during frontal collisions, while maintaining the oblique configuration for offset collision absorption.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pipe frame is designed with uniform wall thickness for simplicity, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the collision-load absorption function deteriorates due to non-uniform compression and local buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality through variable wall thickness design where the first vertical wall has a greater thickness than the second vertical wall. This allows the frame member to have optimized structural performance for collision absorption while still being manufacturable using standard extrusion or forming processes for curved pipe frames.
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 frame member effectively absorbs collision loads uniformly, enhancing the collision-load absorption capacity by suppressing local buckling and ensuring even compression, particularly in frontal collisions.
Implementation Method 1
bending rigidity of the first vertical wall is larger than that of each of the second vertical wall and the inner wall
Data Source
AI summary
A frame member comprises a first vertical wall, a second vertical wall arranged on an inward side, in the vehicle width direction, of the first vertical wall, a first lateral wall interconnecting respective upper ends of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall, a second lateral wall interconnecting respective lower ends of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall and forming a closed-cross section together with the first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, and the first lateral wall, and an inner wall arranged between the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall and extending in the vertical direction, interconnecting the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall. Bending rigidity of the first vertical wall is larger than that of each of the second vertical wall and the inner wall.