Front Grille Shock Absorber With Damped Return for Radar Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock-absorbing devices for vehicle exterior components, such as grills and bumpers, either cause secondary shocks due to vigorous return mechanisms or require difficult ratchet release operations, compromising the functionality of attached radar devices during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A shock-absorbing device comprising an elastic member and an air damper with an operation regulation system, where the elastic member contracts to absorb forces and the air damper attenuates the return speed, limiting contraction operations below a predetermined force to prevent secondary shocks and ensuring smooth recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spring is used to reduce shock applied to the bumper, then the shock is reduced, but the vehicle exterior device vigorously returns to the original position causing a second shock
Solution Approach 1:
A ratchet mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the spring and the bumper. The ratchet allows the spring to push the bumper forward (absorbing shock) but prevents the spring from pushing the bumper backward (causing second shock). This mediator selectively transmits forces in one direction only.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism provides dynamic, one-way constraint on the spring's motion. It transitions from a static spring system to a dynamic system where the constraint changes based on the direction of force, allowing forward movement while blocking backward movement.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a ratchet is used to restrict the return operation of the spring, then the second shock is reduced, but the release operation of the ratchet is difficult and takes time
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism is designed to automatically release when the bumper returns to its original position after shock absorption. The system uses the bumper's own movement to trigger the ratchet's release, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism incorporates feedback from the bumper's position. When the bumper reaches its original position, the ratchet detects this state and automatically releases, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to the actual condition of the vehicle exterior device.
3Device complexity
If the vehicle exterior device is fixed rigidly to the vehicle body, then the structure is simple, but the device deforms easily under shock and radar device position shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a rigid, static mounting system to a dynamic shock-absorbing system using springs and ratchets. This dynamic system allows controlled movement and deformation to absorb shock while maintaining the radar device's functional position, improving reliability without excessive complexity.
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
Effectively protects vehicle exterior components and attached radar devices from shocks by absorbing and attenuating forces, preventing secondary damage and ensuring proper functionality of radar systems.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which is contracted by a force transferred from a vehicle outside through a vehicle exterior member and to return the vehicle exterior member to the vehicle outside by a restoration force against a contraction of the elastic member
Implementation Method 2
an attenuation device for attenuating a speed when the vehicle exterior device returns by the restoration force. The attenuation device is an air damper forming an air chamber between a cylinder and a piston, the air damper attenuating a speed when the vehicle exterior member returns by an attenuation force of the air damper through a resistance generated by limiting an amount of air flowing from the air chamber to an outside of the air chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorbing device according to one embodiment includes an elastic member and an attenuation device. The elastic member is compressed by a force transmitted from the exterior of a vehicle through a front grill which is a vehicle exterior component, and returns the front grill to the vehicle exterior by means of the restoration force against the compression. The attenuation device attenuates the speed of the front grill when the front grill is being returned by the restoration force of the elastic member.