Front Vehicle Body Reinforcing Structure for Small Overlap Collision

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles, frontal collisions with small overlap can cause excessive damage and inadequate protection for occupants due to insufficient deformation of front side members, which are not effectively reinforced to absorb collision energy.

Innovation Solution

A front vehicle body reinforcing structure is designed with extended front side members and fender apron members, featuring dual closed cross-sections and mounting brackets for shock-absorbing devices, to increase overlap width and absorb impact energy during collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the front side member is not extended to the front tip, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the overlap width with collision object is reduced causing inadequate energy absorption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of front side memberVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front vehicle body is divided into multiple load-bearing components: the front side member extended to the front tip, the front fender apron member with closed cross section, and the sub frame. Each segment is optimized to contribute to energy absorption and load distribution during small overlap collisions, resolving the contradiction by making the structure more complex in configuration but more efficient in function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front side member is extended in the length direction to reach the front tip, and the front fender apron member provides reinforcement in the width direction with its closed cross section. This multi-dimensional extension increases the overlap width available for energy absorption during collisions, addressing the limitation of conventional single-direction structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the front side member is not integrally coupled with front fender apron member, then manufacturing is easier, but structural rigidity and energy dispersion capability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The front side member and front fender apron member are integrally coupled to form a unified load-bearing structure with dual closed cross sections. This merging creates a rigid framework that effectively disperses collision energy through multiple load paths, while the integrated design is optimized for manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The structure combines different structural forms (extended tubular front side member and closed cross-section front fender apron member) to create a composite load-bearing system. This composite structure provides enhanced rigidity and energy absorption capability compared to single-material or single-form structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Area of stationary object

If the front tip portion is not extended to front tip of front side member, then manufacturing is simpler, but overlap width with collision object is small causing bending instead of proper deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverlap widthVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The front side member is preliminarily extended to the front tip and integrally coupled with the front fender apron member before collision occurs. This preliminary structural configuration ensures that when a small overlap collision happens, there is sufficient overlap width available for the member to deform properly along its length rather than bending upward or sideways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If conventional front vehicle body structure is used, then manufacturing is easier and cost is lower, but occupant protection is inadequate during frontal small overlap collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupant protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is designed to dynamically respond to collision forces: the extended front side member and front fender apron member with closed cross sections are configured to deform in a controlled manner during impact, absorbing energy and maintaining structural integrity to protect occupants during frontal small overlap collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9242676B2Front vehicle body reinforcing structure

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A front vehicle body reinforcing structure may include front side members which are disposed at both left and right sides of the vehicle, each of which includes a front tip portion that is positioned at a front side of the vehicle, and each of which has a first closed cross section and front fender apron members which are disposed at both left and right sides of the vehicle, each of which includes a front tip portion that is positioned at the front side in the length direction of the vehicle and coupled to the front tip portion of the front side member, and each of which has a second closed cross section, thereby improving performance for coping with a frontal collision of the vehicle.