Motor Vehicle Front Frame with Plastic Lower Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motor vehicle front bumper structures are penalized by requiring lower arms connected to the engine cradle, leading to geometric constraints and additional weight, while failing to adequately protect the fan-radiator unit during low-speed impacts and absorb energy during higher-speed impacts.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle front structure comprising two longitudinal structural sections with a lower crosspiece and side arms that form a frame to support the fan-radiator unit, featuring a lower absorber made of plastic for energy absorption and side arms with a U-section design for enhanced resistance and deformation capabilities, allowing the structure to absorb and distribute impact energy effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If lower arms connected to the engine cradle are used, then the structure provides frontal impact absorption, but the structure requires geometric constraints and additional weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the lower arms connected to the engine cradle from the structure. Instead, it uses the longitudinal structural sections themselves to provide the necessary support and impact absorption functions, thereby removing the additional weight and geometric constraints associated with the separate lower arms
2Ease of operation
If the existing structure is used, then the fan-radiator unit is supported, but the structure fails to adequately protect the fan-radiator unit during low-speed impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a specific geometric configuration of the longitudinal structural sections with predetermined deformation zones. These zones are designed with specific properties (reduced cross-section, controlled thickness) to enable controlled deformation that locally absorbs impact energy while protecting the fan-radiator unit
3Device complexity
If the existing structure is used, then the longitudinal sections are simple, but the structure fails to absorb significant energy during higher-speed impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by designing the longitudinal structural sections with predetermined deformation zones that enable controlled deformation during impact. The sections transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a deformable state during impact, allowing progressive energy absorption through plastic deformation while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the longitudinal structural sections by introducing deformation zones with reduced cross-section and controlled thickness. These parameter changes enable the sections to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation while maintaining relative simplicity in the overall structure
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 proposed structure effectively protects the fan-radiator unit during low-speed impacts and absorbs significant energy during higher-speed impacts, preventing structural section deformation and maintaining the integrity of the vehicle's front end, thus enhancing repairability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a lower absorber fixed under the lower crosspiece and extending in front of said crosspiece in order to absorb the energy of pedestrian impacts, said absorber being made of plastic material
Implementation Method 2
two side arms each extending downwards from the front end of one of the two structural sections, respectively, said arms supporting the lower crosspiece... capable of receiving and supporting a fan-radiator unit
Implementation Method 3
the deformable sections are deformable by bundling in the longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle structure (102) comprising: two longitudinal structural profiles (106) extending parallel to the front of the vehicle and each comprising a front end (108) and an interior lateral face (110) facing the other of said profiles (106); a lower cross member (112) located at a distance under the structural profiles (106); and two lateral members (114) each extending downwards from the front end (108) of one of the structural profiles (106) respectively, said members (114) supporting the lower crossmember (112); each of said arms (114) extending against the lower lateral face (110) of the corresponding structural profile (106). The invention also relates to a vehicle (101) comprising such a structure (102).