Vehicle Front Section Kick Structure for Power Unit Crash Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles equipped with a power unit instead of an engine, the electronic unit controlling power to the motor is often installed above the motor, and in the event of a head-on collision, the front section of the chassis frame may deform upward, causing the electronic unit to crash into the cabin and incur damage due to high-pressure power supply.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front section structure that includes a power unit, left and right front side frames, and left and right front side members, where the front side frames and members are designed to deform at specific kick sections during a head-on collision, allowing the power unit to be displaced obliquely and preventing it from crashing into the vehicle body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the front section of the chassis frame is rigid to support the power unit, then the power unit is stably supported, but the electronic unit may crash into the cabin during head-on collision causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The front side frame is divided into multiple sections including a deformation section, a kick section, and a support section. The kick section is specifically designed to deform during collision to redirect the power unit away from the cabin, while other sections maintain structural integrity for stable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The front side frame transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with controlled deformation characteristics. The kick section is designed to deform plastically under collision load, actively changing the frame's geometry to protect the electronic unit while maintaining support functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the front side frame deforms during head-on collision to protect the electronic unit, then collision damage is prevented, but the support stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into deformation zones and stable support zones. The kick section undergoes controlled deformation while the connection sections to the cabin and power unit maintain sufficient rigidity to preserve overall structural stability and support function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the front side frame have different mechanical properties. The kick section has lower yield strength designed for deformation, while other sections maintain higher strength for stable support, creating localized functional zones within the single structural component.
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 deformation of the front side frames and members effectively absorbs collision load, displaces the power unit obliquely, and prevents it from colliding with the vehicle body, thereby protecting the electronic unit and ensuring occupant safety.
Implementation Method 1
A lower kick section sloping with a downward gradient on progression toward a vehicle rear side is formed at a rear section of each of the front side frames. An upper kick section sloping with a downward gradient on progression toward the vehicle rear side is formed at a rear section of each of the front side members. The left and right front side frames and the left and right front side members undergo deformation at the respective lower kick sections and upper kick sections in a vehicle head-on collision. This deformation enables collision load to be absorbed.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front section structure including left and right front side frames, and left and right front side members. The left and right front side frames extend along a vehicle front-rear direction at respective sides in a vehicle width direction with respect to the power unit. A lower kick section sloping with a downward gradient on progression toward a vehicle rear side is formed at a rear section of each of the front side frames. The left and right front side members extend along the vehicle front-rear direction at a vehicle upper side of the left and right front side frames, are supported by the left and right front side frames, and configure part of a vehicle body. An upper kick section sloping with a downward gradient on progression toward the vehicle rear side is formed at a rear section of each of the front side members.