Front Side Frame with Inclined Portion for Load Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automobile body structures fail to effectively disperse collision loads over a wide region of the dashboard lower panel during frontal collisions, and are difficult to integrate with bathtub-shaped vehicle bodies made from fiber-reinforced resin without intermediate frames or floor frames.
Innovation Solution
A metal front side frame with a plate-shaped fixed portion, inclined, bent, and horizontal portions, reinforced by ribs, is fixed to the dashboard lower panel, featuring an I-shaped cross-section and integrated power unit support, allowing for efficient load dispersion and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a honeycomb structure front side frame rear is used to crumple and absorb collision energy, then collision energy absorption is improved, but the collision load cannot be dispersed over a wide region of the dashboard lower panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear front side frame configuration to one incorporating inclined and bent portions that extend in multiple spatial dimensions. The inclined portion angles upward from the fixed portion, while the bent portion creates a horizontal extension, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space to increase the load dispersion area on the dashboard lower panel without increasing the linear length of the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The front side frame is divided into distinct functional segments: a fixed portion for mounting, an inclined portion for load distribution, a bent portion for spatial redirection, and a horizontal portion for extended support. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, with the inclined and bent portions working together to expand the contact area with the dashboard lower panel.
2Device complexity
If the rear end of the front side frame extends linearly with constant cross section and connects to the floor frame via intermediate frame, then structural simplicity is maintained, but it is difficult to apply to bathtub-shaped vehicle bodies made from fiber-reinforced resin without intermediate frames
Solution Approach 1:
The front side frame is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it provides structural support, absorbs collision energy, disperses loads over the dashboard lower panel, and integrates directly with bathtub-shaped vehicle bodies. The inclined and bent portions enable direct integration with the curved surfaces of resin-molded vehicle bodies, eliminating the need for intermediate frames while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the front side frame by introducing inclined portions with specific angles and bent portions with defined curvature radii. These parameter modifications allow the frame to conform to the curved surfaces of bathtub-shaped vehicle bodies made from fiber-reinforced resin, enabling direct integration without intermediate components.
3Strength
If reinforcing ribs are added to the front side frame to enhance strength, then collision energy absorption is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing ribs are merged with the main body of the front side frame to form an integrated structure. The inclined portion, bent portion, and reinforcing ribs are designed as a unified component that can be manufactured as a single piece using resin molding techniques, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining enhanced strength and collision energy absorption capabilities.
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 solution enhances collision energy absorption by distributing the load over a wider area, reducing reaction forces on the dashboard lower panel, and simplifies production while supporting power units compactly within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
the inclined portion and the bent portion buckle and bend back
Implementation Method 2
the inclined portion and the bent portion buckle and bend back so that an upper face of the inclined part abuts against a front face of the dashboard lower panel
Implementation Method 3
it is possible to increase an area over which a load is transmitted from the front side frame to the dashboard lower panel to thus disperse the load
Data Source
AI summary
Since a front side frame, whose rear end is fixed to a front face of a dashboard lower panel of a vehicle body formed into a bathtub shape, includes a fixed portion, an inclined portion, a bent portion and a horizontal portion, when the collision load of a frontal collision is input into the front end of the front side frame, the fixed portion and the bent portion buckle so as to bend back, and the upper face of the inclined part abuts against the front face of the dashboard lower panel, thus making it possible to absorb the collision energy by deformation of the front side frame itself, and to increase the area over which the load is transmitted from the front side frame to the dashboard lower panel to thus disperse the load, thereby reducing the reaction force required for the dashboard lower panel.