Front Frame Suspension Structure for Progressive Crash Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle front frames face a challenge in balancing the need for progressive shock absorption during front crashes with the requirement for space-saving and stylish design, as increasing the length of crash absorption spars to reduce deceleration contradicts these goals.
Innovation Solution
A front frame assembly with a collapsible portion in the suspension attachment structure, which is less stiff to compression than the attachment portion, allows for effective absorption of front crashes without extending the spars, combined with an absorber body for adjustable stiffness and deformability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the length of spars is increased to reduce deceleration during front crashes, then shock absorption progressiveness is improved, but the length of the front frame assembly increases, compromising space saving and style
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension attachment structure is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with high compression stiffness and a second portion with low compression stiffness. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the first portion provides structural support while the second portion enables progressive deformation and energy absorption during crashes, achieving effective shock absorption without increasing overall length.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the suspension attachment structure are assigned different mechanical properties - the first portion is designed with high compression stiffness to maintain structural integrity, while the second portion is designed with low compression stiffness to provide progressive deformation. This local differentiation of mechanical properties enables the structure to achieve both strength and shock absorption functionality within a compact length.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the deceleration during front crashes is reduced to improve passenger safety, then shock absorption effectiveness is improved, but the length of spars must be increased, compromising compact design
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension attachment structure is segmented into a first portion for structural support and a second portion for energy absorption. This segmentation enables the second portion to progressively deform and extend the crash pulse duration, thereby reducing peak deceleration forces on passengers without requiring an increase in the overall length of the front frame assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression stiffness parameter is varied along the length of the suspension attachment structure - the first portion has high compression stiffness while the second portion has low compression stiffness. This parameter change enables the structure to provide both structural support and progressive energy absorption, reducing peak deceleration during crashes within a compact length.
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
This design achieves a compact and progressive shock absorption, reducing deceleration while maintaining safety and style, with the collapsible portion cooperating with the absorption elements to absorb crashes without elongating the spars, and the absorber body allowing for calibration of stiffness and deformability.
Implementation Method 1
the spars are deformable along the forward moving direction under compression forces. The deformability of the spars ensures that the absorption box gradually deforms in the event of a front crash
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A front frame assembly (11) for a motor vehicle (1) includes a suspension attachment structure (12) with an attachment portion (13) fixable to a body cell (2) of the motor vehicle (1), one or more attachment elements (15) fixed relative to the suspension attachment structure (12) to allow a suspension (3) of the motor vehicle (1) to be coupled to the attachment portion (13), and an absorption element (16) to absorb a front crash of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the absorption element (16) is distinct from the suspension attachment structure (12), is fixed relative to the suspension attachment structure (12), and extends along a first straight axis (D), wherein the suspension attachment structure (12) further comprises a collapsible portion (20) between the absorption element (16) and the attachment portion (13) along the first straight axis (D), the collapsible portion (20) having a first compression stiffness equal to or greater than a second stiffness of the absorption element (16) and smaller than a third stiffness of the attachment portion (13).